Barry Mansell photo.

Scientific name: Tantilla relicta pamlica

Description: Average adult size is 7-8.5 inches (17.7-21.5 cm). Adults are tannish to reddish-brown with a black head, chin, and back of neck. There is a light band on the back of the head. The snout labial scales are lighter colored than the head. The snout is pointed. The belly is uniform white to yellowish-pink. The scales are smooth, and there are 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.

 The head of the coastal dunes crowned snake.
Barry Mansell photo.

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

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

Range: In Florida, it occurs along the Atlantic coast from Brevard Co. south to Palm Beach County. It is not found outside of Florida.

Habitat: Rare, sometimes found in well-drained grassy dunes, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks.

Comments: . The coastal dunes crowned snake is a terrestrial burrower, mainly found under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other debris.

It feeds on insect larvae, snails, and centipedes.

It lays eggs. No specific data have been reported, reproduction is believed to be similar to the southeastern crowned snake (Tantilla coronata).

Comparison with other species: The rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica) lacks a lighter colored snout and scales on the upper lip. 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) is black with a bright yellowish-orange belly with black spots.

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