Description: The short-tailed snake is a small serpent averaging 14 to 20 inches in total length, with a record total length measurement of 25+3/4 inches, and is perhaps as thin as a pencil. It is gray above with 50 to 80 dark blotches and may or may not have a yellow stripe running down the spine. The underside is white with dark brown blotches. It bears a more-than-superficial resemblance to other kingsnakes, especially the mole kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata), but can be distinguished by its smaller size and much more slender build. Also, Lampropeltis extenuatum has six upper labials, whereas kingsnakes (genus Lampropeltis) have seven upper labials.

Habitat: The short-tailed snake prefers sandy-soiled pine or oak woodlands, but may be found in other habitats, provided it has access to prey and suitable soil for burrowing.

Range: Found only in a handful of counties in central Florida.

Found in these States: FL

Diet: Captive specimens show a keen preference for black-crowned snakes of the genus Tantilla and will often eat them exclusively, rejecting other species of small snake or lizard. It is possible that black-crowned snakes, some of which are themselves small, burrowing snakes endemic to Florida, comprise the entire diet of wild short-tailed snakes.

Reproduction: Little is known about the reproduction of the short-tailed snake. Females may be oviparous (lay eggs) and deposit eggs in burrows. Short-tailed snakes are rarely found because of their fossorial nature, making observations of their reproduction difficult.

Status: Listed as Near Threatened because its extent of occurrence is not much greater than 20,000 km², and the extent and quality of its habitat is declining, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable under criterion B1ab(iii).

Taxonomy: