Small burrowing snake
Flat-headed Snake
HarmlessTantilla gracilis
The Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Small burrowing snake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Tiny, 6–12 in.
- Habitat
- Under rocks, logs, and leaf litter across many habitats.
- Behavior
- Secretive, burrowing insect- and centipede-eaters; almost never seen above ground.
- Identify
- Tiny and slender, plain brown or tan, often with a darker head cap.
About the Flat-headed Snake
Tantilla gracilis (flathead snake) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Geographic range
The snake is found in the US states of Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas and in Mexico. The flathead snake is a small snake with adults growing to 18–20 cm (7–8 in).
They feed on arthropods such as centipedes.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Flat-headed Snake
- Is the Flat-headed Snake venomous?
- No. The Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Flat-headed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Flat-headed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Flat-headed Snake dangerous?
- The Flat-headed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Flat-headed Snake live?
- The Flat-headed Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including United States of America, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Flat-headed Snake?
- Tiny and slender, plain brown or tan, often with a darker head cap.
- How big does the Flat-headed Snake get?
- Tiny, 6–12 in.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Plains Black-headed SnakeTantilla nigriceps
Black-headed SnakeTantilla melanocephala
Southeastern Crowned SnakeTantilla coronata
Southwestern Blackhead SnakeTantilla hobartsmithi
Western Black-headed SnakeTantilla planiceps
Bocourt's Black-headed SnakeTantilla bocourti
Florida Crowned SnakeTantilla relicta
Black-necked Centipede SnakeTantilla armillata
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Tantilla
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Tantilla gracilis
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.