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Western Wormsnake (Carphophis vermis)

Description Habitats Habits and Life History Prey and Hunting Techniques

Temperament and Defense Conservation State Distribution and Abundance Gallery

Contributors Bibliography Discussion

Description

This small, worm-like snake is identified by a plain dark purplish-black dorsal coloration with a plain, bright pink belly. Its snout and tail are very pointed. It rarely grows longer than about 25cm (9.8 inches).

It is not easily distinguished from the Midwestern Wormsnake, which has a lighter, brown dorsal coloration and lighter pink belly. In the Western Wormsnake, the pink belly coloration extents up to the 3rd row of dorsal scales, whereas on the Midwestern Wormsnake the pink belly coloration extents up only to the 1st or 2nd row.

During a shed cycle, the dorsal coloration may appear gray.

Habitats

This species is rarely seen exposed. It is fossorial; burrowing in moist soil or under the leaf litter. I commonly find this species by lifting boards, rocks, or other debris that is sitting loosely on the ground.

Habits and Life History

Due to the preferred habitat of this small snake, it is difficult to study in a natural setting. Human encounters usually occur during excavation work, gardening, or when picking up debris.

This species is thought to having mating in the fall. Females retain the sperm and fertilize their eggs in the Spring. The eggs are likely laid sometime in early summer, and hatching in the late summer.

Prey and Hunting Techniques

This species burrows through loose soil in search of soft-bodied prey, especially earthworms. It uses a "grab-and-eat" technique for subduing and swallowing its food.

Temperament and Defense

This species is secretive and will never feel completely comfortable exposed. If one happens to be "turned up" by a predator, their first defense is a small size and dark dorsal coloration. Upon getting flipped over, their bright pink belly acts as a second line of defense; a brightly colored symbol of danger (in this case a bluff!).

When handled, this species is not known to bite in defense, but will almost certainly expel excrement and a foul-smelling musk. One may try to burrow through fingers or even poke a handler's hands with its sharp tail.

Conservation

This species is fairly common in Arkansas, even if rarely seen. There are no immediate threats to the species as a whole. Because of its small size and unassuming nature, even people who are fearful of snakes generally find little offense when they see one. I think this species often gets misidentified as some kind of strange earthworm.

State Distribution and Abundance

This species is found in about 3/4ths of the state; ranging from the northwest diagonally into the central portion of the state. A disjunct portion of the range occurs in the southeast. It is absent from counties bordering the Mississippi River. Although rarely seen, this species is fairly common in the northern portion of its range, especially in wooded areas (but hidden under leaf litter or rocks). It is much more rare in the southern portion of its range.

Gallery

Contributors

• kaptainkory March 23, 2006, at 07:24 AM (Original Contributor)

Bibliography

• Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979 (1987). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd ed. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 743 pp.
• Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. 3rd ed., Expanded. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 616 pp.
• Irwin, K. J. 2004. Arkansas Snake Guide. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Pocket Guide. 50 pp.
• Trauth, S. E., H. W. Robison, and M. V. Plummer. 2004. Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville. 421 pp.

Discussion

< Midwestern Wormsnake | Snake | Ring-necked Snake >