A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

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Black-headed Snakes found in California

Black-headed Snakes are small, slender, secretive snakes that spend much of their time underground. Active day and night. Most often found underneath surface objects and rocks, sometimes on roads at night. Two species occur in California, but they are not yet known to be found in the same location.

Not Dangerous (Non-poisonous)
Black-headed Snakes do not have venom that is dangerous to most humans.

Smith's (Southwestern) Black-headed Snake - Tantilla hobartsmithi

Red: Range of Smith's Black-headed Snake

Western Black-headed Snake - Tantilla planiceps

Red: Range of Western Black-headed Snake

*Keys to the 2 Species of Black-headed Snakes (Tantilla) found in California*
	Smith's Black-headed Snake Tantilla hobartsmithi	Western Black-headed Snake Tantilla planiceps
Dark Head Cap	Extends "...1/2-3 scales beyond posterior end of furrow between parietal scales...." Usually does not extend below the corner of the mouth.	Usually "...extends 2-3 scale lengths beyond posterior (hindmost) end of furrow between parietal scales...." Extends downward 1/2 - 2 scales below the corner of the mouth.
Rear Border of Cap	Comvex or straight	Comvex or straight
White or Cream Collar	1/2 - 2 scales wide Usually there is no dark band or dark spots bordering the rear edge of the collar.	1/2 - 1 scale row wide May or may not be bordered by dark dots.
Anal	Divided	Divided
Scale Rows at Midbody	15	15
Hemipenes	"Hemipenes club-shaped with enlarged globular tip and 2 medium to large spines at base."	"Hemipenes nearly cylindrical, without enlarged globular tip, lacking small spines near enlarged basal spine."
Based on information in: Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.

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