Barry Mansell photos.

Scientific name: Tantilla oolitica

Description: Average adult size is 6-9 inches (15.2-22.8 cm), record is 11.5 inches (29.2 cm). Adults are tan with a black head, chin, and back of neck. Some individuals from the Florida keys may have a faint, light colored broken band on the back of the head, creating a separation between the black head and neck. The belly is uniform pinkish-white. The scales are smooth., and there are 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.

  Young rim rock crowned snake.
Kenneth L. Krysko photo.

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

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

Range: In Florida, it is found only in Dade and Monroe counties on a low elevation pine ridge called the Miami Rim Rock formation, and upper Florida keys from Key Largo to Marathon. One specimen has been reported from the lower keys on Key West. It is not found outside of Florida.

Habitat: Rare, found in pinelands and tropical hardwood hammocks.

Comments: . The rim rock crowned snake is a terrestrial burrower, mainly seen only under limestone rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other debris. The type specimen came from a now-vanished vacant lot in Miami, where it was found on the Miami Rim Rock made up of oolitic limestone. Therefore it was given the name, Tantilla oolitica. Since then, less than 10 individuals have found. It is extremely rare, and protected by the state of Florida due to habitat loss in the Miami and Florida keys regions.

Very little is known about the life histories of this snake. Presumably, like other crowned snakes, it may feed on insect larvae, snails, centipedes, termites, worms, spiders, and other small snakes.

It probably lays eggs. Breeding presumably occurs from April-May, and few eggs are laid from May-June.

Comparison with other species: The Florida brown snake (Storeria dekayi victa) is grayish-brown with a light mid-dorsal stripe and flecking on each side. The southern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus) and the Keys ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus) are grayish-black with bright yellow-orange bellies with black spots.

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