Richard Bartlett photo.

Scientific name: Tantilla coronata

Description: Average adult size is 5.25-10 inches (13.3-25.4 cm), record is 13 inches (33 cm). Adults are tan to reddish brown with a black head and chin. There is a light band on the back of the head, and a black band 3-5 scales wide extending onto the back of the neck. The belly may be uniform white, yellow, or pinkish. The scales are smooth, and there are 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.

Richard Bartlett photo.

The light band on the head is followed by a prominent dark band on the neck.

Southeastern crowned snake: Left to right: Top view of head; underside (chin and throat) view of head.

Southeastern crowned snake: Left to right: Side view of head; front (face) view of head.

Range: In Florida, it is found in the panhandle. Outside of Florida, it is found from Louisiana to Virginia.

Habitat: Uncommon, found around sandhills, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and swamps.

Comments: . The southeastern crowned snake is a terrestrial burrower, mainly seen only under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other debris.

It feeds mainly on insect larvae, snails, centipedes, termites, worms and spiders.

It lays eggs. Breeding occurs from April-May, usually 1-3 eggs are laid from May-June.

Comparison with other species: The central Florida crowned snake (Tantilla relicta neilli) has only a faint or totally nonexistent light band on the back of its head. The midland brown snake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum) and the Florida redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata obscura) lack a black band on the back of the neck and have keeled scales.

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