Description: A tiny (6 to 8 inch) secretive snake of the aridlands. This and the very similar Southwestern black-headed snake cannot be differentiated externally. Use range as an identifier. Ranges do not overlap. Black cap has an even to weakly convex posterior edge that terminates 1/2 to 3 scale rows posterior to parietal plates. Dorsum grayish brown to brown; belly orange, brightest posteriorly. May have a vague slightly darker vertebral stripe. Use range as an identifier. Oviparous. Scales smooth in 15 rows. Black cap has an even to weakly convex posterior edge that terminates 1/2 to 3 scale rows posterior to parietal plates.

This and the very similar Southwestern black-headed snake cannot be differentiated externally. Black cap has an even posterior edge. Dorsum grayish brown to brown; belly orange, brightest posteriorly. Use range as an identifier.

Habitat: Habitats include wooded and grassland/thorn brush communities (Tennant 1998). The species ranges from desert flats to wooded mountain canyons.

Range: The range includes a disjunct population in southern Texas; the main portion of the range is in Mexico in Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas

Found in these States: TX

Diet: Prey items include many species of suitably sized invertebrates, especially arthropods

Reproduction: Lays clutch of probably 1 to 3 eggs.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its fairly 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: