Description: A small -– 7 to 9 inches –- slender snake that is tan or light brown with a black head, chin, and back of neck. A light spot occurs on each side of the lower neck, and the belly is uniform whitish-yellow. Scales are smooth, and the anal plate is divided. This species is most easily distinguished from the similar southeastern crowned snake (Tantilla coronata) by geographic range and by lack of a distinct, unbroken light ring on the back of the neck.

Habitat: Habitats include sandhills, sand pine scrub, coastal dunes, and xeric and mesic hammocks; it is more common in sandhills than in scrub habitat. In scrub habitat, this snake appears to most common in early successional stages generated by periodic disturbance (e.g., fire, clear cutting) that removes the matted understorey or pine canopy. Fire periodicity evidently has no influence on local distribution in sandhill habitat. This secretive, fossorial snake is usually under the soil surface or under surface cover; it also uses pocket gopher mounds.

Range: This species is endemic to southern Florida in the United States.

Found in these States: FL

Diet: In north-central Florida, ate mostly larvae of one species of beetle, also centipedes, snails, and other insects.

Reproduction: Very little is known about the reproduction of the Florida crowned snake. The species lays elongated eggs. It is believed that its reproduction is probably similar to the genus Tantilla. It is assumed that the snake lays its eggs from late spring to August.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its relatively wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: