Kenneth L. Krysko photo.

Scientific name: Tantilla relicta relicta

Description: Average adult size is 7-8.5 inches (17.7-21.5 cm). Adults are tannish-brown with a black head, chin, and back of neck. There is a light band on the back of the head with a black spot on top separating each side. The snout is pointed. The belly is uniform whitish-yellow. The scales are smooth, and there are 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.

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

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

Range: In Florida, it occurs in the northern peninsula from Marion Co. south to Highlands Co. in the central peninsula. Apparently disjunct populations occur on the Gulf coast on Cedar Key and in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties. It is not found outside of Florida.

Habitat: Locally abundant, commonly found in well-drained sandhills, pinelands, and hammocks.

Comments: . The peninsula 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 central Florida crowned snake (Tantilla relicta neilli) lacks a distinct light band on the back of the head. 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.

Top of this Page — Guide to the Snakes of Florida
Checklist of Florida Amphibians and Reptiles — Florida Herpetology