Eastern Worm Snake

Scientific Name: Carphophis amoenus
Size: 4 to 9 in. (18-22 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern

Habitat Type:
Rocky bluffs, pine wood and hardwood forest, old fields, partially wooded areas near/above streams, wetland borders. May be found under rocks, logs, stumps, or in flower beds.

Colorations:

  • The dorsal is grey to brown or black unpatterned.
  • The ventral is a light pink, reddish-pink to light brown, tan, or light grey.
  • The ventral coloration extend 1-2 rows on the side of the body.

Characteristics:

  • Small, slender species.
  • The Worm Snake gets its name because it resembles an earthworm.
  • The body is short and stout with a short narrow (pointy) tail.
  • The head is small and blunt with no distinction from the body.
  • Good burrowers and will go underground during dry seasons. -Fossorial species-
  • Small round functional eyes.
  • Dorsal scales are smooth and opalescent/glossy.
  • Young have a darker pattern and brighter underside than the adults.

Scale Counts:

  • 13 scale rows at midbody
  • 109-145 ventral scales
  • 22-41 subcaudals | 2 rows of subcaudals
  • 1 nasal scale
  • 1 loreal scale
  • 0 preocular scales
  • 1 postocular scale
  • 1+1 temporal scales
  • 5 supralabials
  • 6 infralabials
  • Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

  • Northern Brown Snake
  • Red Bellied Snake
  • Earth Snake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Worm Snake - Head Shot - By: Scott Moser Worm Snake - Head Shot - By: Scott Moser Worm Snake - Head Shot - By: Scott Moser
Worm Snake - - By: Scott Moser Worm Snake - Dark Coloration - By: Bob Hamilton Worm Snake - Dark Coloration - By: Bob Hamilton
Worm Snake - By: Billy Brown Eastern Worm Snake - By: Wayne Fidler Eastern Worm Snake - By: Wayne Fidler
Worm Snake - - Scott Moser Worm Snake - - By: Scott Moser

Juveniles
Worm Snake - Juvenile By: Jason Poston


Range Map:
Worm Snake Range Map
References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 267-269pp.
  • Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 53-56pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Jason Poston
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Scott Moser
  • Billy Brown
  • Wayne Fidler