Snake Species Dinosaur species

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

PLAINS BLACK-HEADED SNAKE
Tantilla nigriceps

PLAINS BLACK-HEADED SNAKE  <br />Tantilla nigriceps - snake species | gveli | გველი

PLAINS BLACK-HEADED SNAKE
Tantilla nigriceps

DESCRIPTION:
A small (up to 380 mm or 15" in total length), slender tan or cream colored snake with a dark gray-brown or black head cap. The head cap tapers to a point on its rear edge and extends back more than 3 small scales behind the parietal furrow (central seam between rear-most large head scales).

A red, pink, or orange stripe runs down the center of the belly. The scales are smooth and the small head is barely distinct from the neck. There are enlarged, grooved teeth in the rear upper jaw.

DISTRIBUTION:
This snake is found in the valleys of southeastern Arizona at elevations ranging from 3,200' to about 6,000'.

HABITAT:
It inhabits Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Semidesert Grassland, and the lower extremes of Madrean Evergreen Woodland communities. It is usually found below the steep terrain on gently sloping bajadas and low valley bottoms.

BEHAVIOR:
This secretive, nocturnal ground-dweller is occasionally encountered on the surface at night but spends the majority of its time in underground burrows. Most near-surface activity seems to occur on moist spring and summer days when this snake can be found under rocks, logs, and surface debris. It hibernates during the cold months of late fall and winter.

DIET:
Venom is delivered to prey via enlarged, grooved teeth in the rear upper jaw (not considered to be dangerous to humans). It eats a variety of invertebrates including centipedes, scorpions, beetle larvae, and other insects.

REPRODUCTION:
A clutch of up to 3 eggs is laid in late spring or early summer. Hatchlings begin to emerge in summer.

Bogertophis subocularis subocularis  - Trans-Pecos Ratsnake | Snake Species Coluber taeniatus taeniatus - Desert Striped Whipsnake | Snake Species Salvadora grahamiae grahamiae - Mountain Patch-nosed Snake | Snake Species
Nerodia erythrogaster  - Plain-bellied Watersnake | Snake Species  SPOTTED LEAF-NOSED SNAKE  <br />   Phyllorhynchus decurtatus | Snake Species Diadophis punctatus similis - San Diego Ring-necked Snake | Snake Species
Pantherophis spiloides - Gray Ratsnake | Snake Species Crotalus oreganus concolor  - Midget Faded Rattlesnake | Snake Species WESTERN PATCH-NOSED SNAKE <br /> Salvadora hexalepis | Snake Species
Lampropeltis zonata pulchra - San Diego Mountain Kingsnake | Snake Species      A Guide to the Amphibians   and Reptiles of California	  Lampropeltis zonata multifasciata - Coast Mountain Kingsnake | Snake Species Crotalus cerastes cerastes - Mohave Desert Sidewinder | Snake Species
 ROSY BOA   Lichanura trivirgata | Snake Species  MOHAVE RATTLESNAKE <br /> Crotalus scutulatus | Snake Species TIGER RATTLESNAKE  Crotalus tigris | Snake Species
WESTERN DIAMOND-BACKED  RATTLESNAKE   <br />    Crotalus atrox | Snake Species Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma - Western Cottonmouth | Snake Species Crotalus enyo - Baja California Rattlesnake | Snake Species
Trimorphodon lyrophanes - California Lyresnake | Snake Species Salvadora hexalepis virgultea - Coast Patch-nosed Snake | Snake Species Agkistrodon contortrix phaeogaster  - Osage Copperhead | Snake Species

Copyright © 2012