Small burrowing snake
Plains Black-headed Snake
HarmlessTantilla nigriceps
6 photographs of the Plains Black-headed Snake. © Tigran Tadevosyan.
The Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 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 Plains Black-headed Snake
The Plains black-headed snake or Plains blackhead snake (Tantilla nigriceps) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. They are approximately 18–38 cm (7.1–15.0 in) in length, with a uniform tan to brownish-gray. Their ventral scales are white with a pink or orange mid-line. It is readily distinguished from the Chihuahuan (T. wilcoxi) and Yaqui (T. yaquia) black-headed snakes by the absence of a light neck collar.
Geographic range
The snake is found in the US states of Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico and in Mexico.
Habitat
They are often found in rocky or grassy prairies, or hillsides where the soil is moist. Occasionally they are found in basements.
Behavior
The Plains black-headed snake is often secretive and can be found seeking refuge in leaf-litter or in small burrows, while being surface active at night. It has been collected from February into September in Arizona, but most are found in August. It is susceptible to desiccation and unlikely to be found surface active or under surface debris in dry periods or seasons.
Breeding
It is presumed that they lay up to three eggs in the spring or early summer, where hatchlings will begin to emerge during the summer.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Plains Black-headed Snake
- Is the Plains Black-headed Snake venomous?
- No. The Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps) 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 Plains Black-headed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Plains Black-headed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Plains Black-headed Snake dangerous?
- The Plains Black-headed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Plains Black-headed Snake live?
- The Plains Black-headed Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including United States of America, Mexico, Cuba. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Plains Black-headed Snake?
- Tiny and slender, plain brown or tan, often with a darker head cap.
- How big does the Plains Black-headed Snake get?
- Tiny, 6–12 in.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Flat-headed SnakeTantilla gracilis
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 nigriceps
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.