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

Juveniles

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