Family: Colubridae, Colubrid Snakes view all from this family

Description 7-9 5/8" (17.8-24.5 cm). Slender light-brown or reddish-brown snake with a slightly darker head. Sometimes has dark-gray headcap ending abruptly with concave border on neck, 1-2 scales behind head shields. Belly pink, color extending onto side of head. Only Tantilla with 6 upper lip scales. Scales smooth, in 15 rows. Anal plate divided.

Breeding Mates in May. Clutch of 1-4 eggs is laid June and July, hatches in September.

Habitat Rocky prairie and wooded hillsides. Sea level to 2,000' (600 m).

Range Extreme sw. Illinois to e. Nebraska south through Oklahoma and Arkansas to e. Texas and adjacent Coahuila.

Discussion Nocturnal. A secretive species, found in rotting stumps and logs and under slabs of rocks, where it feeds on insect larvae, centipedes, slugs, and sowbugs.