Color Photograph: © by and Courtesy of Jack Goldfarb

Flathead Snake (Tantilla gracilis)

Identification: Snake 7 to 10 inches in length. Body color brown to red-brown. Head slightly darker than the body, but not distinctly black, at most gray. Belly pink, pink extending up unto the lateral sides of the head and body. Scales smooth and anal plate divided.

Geographical Variation: None.

Range (see map below): The Flathead Snake is a denizen of the central and south-central United States from southeastern Illinois, southern Missouri, and eastern Kansas in the north, extending southward through eastern Texas and western Louisiana into northern Mexico.

Habitat: This species is found on rocky hillsides and rocky prairie.

Food: Insects, centipedes, slugs, and other small terrestrial invertebrates.

Behavior: The Flathead Snake is a nocturnal species and is most commonly found rotting logs, tree stumps, and under rocks.

Reproduction:  The clutch consists of 1 to 4 eggs laid in June and July.

Flathead Snake (Tantilla gracilis)

Similar Species: Two other species occur within the range of the Flathead Snake; Plains Blackhead Snake (Tantilla nigriceps), and the Mexican Blackhead Snake (Tantilla atriceps). Both species have distinctive black heads.

Similar Species:

No Similar Species