Plains Blackhead Snake (Tantilla nigriceps)

Plains Black-headed Snake
Photograph by Gary M. Stolz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. License: Public Domain. (view image details)

PLAINS BLACKHEAD SNAKE FACTS

Description
The Plains Blackhead Snake is a slender tan, red-brown or cream colored snake. The head has a dark gray-brown or black cap that narrows to a point at the back of the head. The head is of similar width to the body with no distinct neck. The underside is white with a red, pink, or orange stripe running along the center. It has smooth scales. The snake is nocturnal and spends most of its time in underground burrows. It is sometimes found under rocks, logs, and other surface litter.

Size
length to 38cm

Environment
desert scrub, arid grassland, woodland. Usually found on gentle slopes and valley floors.

Food
eats invertebrates including centipedes, scorpions, beetle larvae, other insects.

Breeding
Females lay a clutch of up to 3 eggs in late spring or early summer.

Range
The Plains Blackhead Snake is found throughout the western Great Plains of the United States, from Nebraska to central and western Texas and south east Arizona. Also found in northern Mexico.

Notes
Plains Blackhead Snake is mildly venomous, but not dangerous to humans

Classification

Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata (Serpentes)
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Tantilla
Species:	nigriceps
Common Name:	Plains Blackhead Snake

Relatives in same Genus
Western Blackhead Snake (T. planiceps)

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