Plains black-headed snake
| Plains black-headed snake | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Tantilla |
| Species: | T. nigriceps
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| Binomial name | |
| Tantilla nigriceps Kennicott, 1860
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| Synonyms[2] | |
The Plains black-headed snake or Plains blackhead snake (Tantilla nigriceps) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. They are approximately 18–38 cm (7.1–15.0 in) in length, with a uniform tan to brownish-gray. Their ventral scales are white with a pink or orange mid-line.[3] It is readily distinguished from the Chihuahuan (T. wilcoxi) and Yaqui (T. yaquia) black-headed snakes by the absence of a light neck collar.[4]
Geographic range
The snake is found in the US states of Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico and in Mexico.
Habitat
They are often found in rocky or grassy prairies, or hillsides here they soil is moist. Occasionally they are found in basements.
Behavior
The Plains black-headed snake is often secretive and can be found seeking refuge in leaf-litter or in small burrows, while being surface active at night. It has been collected from February into September in Arizona, but most are found in August. It is susceptible to desiccation and unlikely to be found surface active or under surface debris in dry periods or seasons.
Breeding
It is presumed that they lay up to three eggs in the spring or early summer, where hatchlings will begin to emerge during the summer.[5]
References
- ^ Frost, D.R.; Hammerson, G.A. & Santos-Barrera, G. (2007). "Tantilla nigriceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63952A12731085. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ Tantilla nigriceps at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 February 2020.
- ^ Behler, John L. & King, F. Wayne (1979). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. pp. 658-659. ISBN 0-394-50824-6.
- ^ Rorabaugh, Jim. "Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps)". tucsonherpsociety.org. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ Brennan, Thomas. "Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps) - Reptiles of Arizona". www.reptilesofaz.org.
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