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.[3] It is readily distinguished from the Chihuahuan (T. wilcoxi) and Yaqui (T. yaquia) black-headed snakes by the absence of a light neck collar.[4]

Plains black-headed snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Tantilla
Species:
T. nigriceps
Binomial name
Tantilla nigriceps
Kennicott, 1860
Synonyms[2]
  • Scolecophis fumiceps Cope, 1860
  • Homalocranion praeoculum Bocourt, 1883
  • Tantilla kirnia Blanchard, 1938 (fide Marx, 1958)

Geographic range

The snake is found in the US states of Colorado, 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.[5]

References
  1. Frost, D.R.; Hammerson, G.A.; Santos-Barrera, G. (2007). "Tantilla nigriceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63952A12731085. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63952A12731085.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Tantilla nigriceps at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 February 2020.
  3. Behler, John L. & King, F. Wayne (1979). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. pp. 658-659. ISBN 0-394-50824-6.
  4. Rorabaugh, Jim. "Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps)". tucsonherpsociety.org. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  5. Brennan, Thomas. "Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps) - Reptiles of Arizona". www.reptilesofaz.org.


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