Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)

Harmless to humans, Southeastern Crowned Snakes occur in the southern coastal plain and much of the piedmont in North Carolina.


Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
5 Oct 2008

Common but very secretive in much of North Carolina, this species burrows underground but may be found under logs or rocks.

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
5 Oct 2008

This individual is prepring to shed its skin, as is obvious by its milky eye appearance.

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
5 Oct 2008

Crowned snakes are named for their dark heads, as if wearing a crown. There are several species of crowned snakes in the US, but this is the only one in North Carolina.

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
5 Oct 2008

Southeastern Crowned Snakes eat mostly centipedes, termites, and other soil invertebrates.

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
5 Oct 2008

These snakes actually are mildly venomous with rear fangs and a weak venom, but they are so small and generally do not bite humans when caught that they are completely harmless to people. In fact, they are quite beneficial by helping to keep populations of unwanted things like centipedes and termites down!

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
5 Oct 2008


Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
28 Apr 2013

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
28 Apr 2013

These snakes are excellent burrowers and that's where this one's headed.


Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Moore Co., NC
20 Apr 2013

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Moore Co., NC
20 Apr 2013
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Moore Co., NC
20 Apr 2013
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Moore Co., NC
20 Apr 2013

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
14 May 2013
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
14 May 2013
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
14 May 2013
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
14 May 2013

Bellies are pale.


Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
14 May 2013
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
New Hanover Co., NC
14 May 2013

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Created on ... Oct 10, 2008 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com