Florida Crowned Snake


Kenneth L. Krysko (left) and Rick Owens (right) photos.

Scientific name: Tantilla relicta.

The following key will separate the three subspecies of Florida crowned snake that are found in Florida. If you are unable to distinguish between the subspecies using the characteristics in the key below, you probably can do so using geographic location alone.

1a No light collar behind head; central Florida from Suwannee River to St. Johns River and south to Hillsborough County. Central Florida crowned snake,
Tantilla relicta neilli
1b Light collar behind head. 2
2a Light collar broken at midline; peninsular Florida’s central ridge from Marion County to Polk County and separate populations in Levy, Pinellas, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Peninsular crowned snake,
Tantilla relicta relicta
2b Light collar broad and complete; Florida east coast from Palm Beach County to Cape Canaveral. Coastal dunes crowned snake,
Tantilla relicta pamlica


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