Reptiles of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

NC Records
Colubridae Members:
Cemophora coccinea - Scarletsnake

Photo: E. Corey

Photo: Mark Shields

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia

Order: Serpentes

Family: Colubridae

Subfamily: Colubrinae

Other Common Name(s): Scarlet Snake


Taxonomic Comments: Cemophora consists of two species of small, fossorial colubrid snakes found throughout in the southern and eastern United States.
Species Comments: Cemophora coccinea, the Scarletsnake, is the only member of its genus found in North Carolina. It ranges throughout the southeastern United States, disjunctly along the Atlantic Coast from southern New Jersey to northern Florida, west to east Texas and Oklahoma. Previously, Cemophora was considered a single species comprised of three subspecies. However, recent molecular work by Weinell and Austin (2017) elevated one subspecies to full species (C. lineri, the Texas Scarletsnake); despite some molecular structure apparent within the remaining population, they chose not to elevate or recognize any other subspecies. North Carolina populations are still occasionally referred to by the subspecific epithet C. c. copei. The generic epithet Cemophora is derived from the Greek words kemos ("muzzle") and phoreus ("bearer"), in reference to the pronounced rostral scale of these snakes. The specific epithet coccinea is derived from the Latin coccin, "crimson", in reference to the dorsal saddle coloration. Taxonomic References: Williams (1985); Weinell and Austin (2017).

Identification

Description: Scarletsnakes are small, slender snakes with a noticeably angular, pointed head and an enlarged rostral scale projecting beyond the lower jaw. The dorsal pattern consists of scarlet to red dorsal "saddles" with black margins that alternate with interspaces typically white, yellow, or gray. These saddles (ranging in number from 12-28 on the body, 1-10 on the tail) do not extend onto the venter of the snake, which is immaculate white to cream. Dark dorsolateral smudges can typically be seen on the lateral aspects of the body. The anterior black margin of the first dorsal saddle typically extends to the parietal scales at the back of the head, and another black band extends across the head behind the eyes, with the top anterior portion of the head a scarlet red grading to white ventrally.

Palmer and Braswell (1995) noted an ontogenetic shift in color: juveniles typically had distinct white interspaces between saddles, which became yellow (grading to white posteriorly) in adults. Older individuals had red-brown saddles with gray to olive interspaces typically flecked heavily with black.

Morphological Features: Scarletnakes typically have 19 smooth scale rows throughout the body. Ventral counts range from 149-195 (152-173 in NC specimens; Palmer and Braswell, 1995), with 31-50 subcaudals (33-45) and an undivided anal plate. Head scale counts are typically as follows: 6 supralabials, 7 infralabials, 1 nasal, 1 loreal, 1 preoculars, 2 postoculars, and 1+2 temporals. The rostral scale is enlarged. Palmer and Braswell (1995) noted variation in scalation across multiple specimens in NC.

These are typically smaller snakes; Palmer and Braswell (1995) reported a 60.7 cm (23.9 inch) male specimen from NC. Tail lengths range from 11-18% of total length. Males have longer average tail lengths relative to body, fewer ventral scales, and more subcaudals and dorsal blotches on the tail. Females have smaller tails relative to body length, more ventrals, and fewer subcaudals and dorsal blotches on the tail.

Scarletnakes have enlongated and blade-like ungrooved posterior teeth that are used to pierce the shells of reptile eggs, their primary food source. They are inoffensive snakes, harmless to humans and pets and rarely attempt to bite. When captured, they typically try to conceal the head and elevate the tail, releasing musk and feces.

Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003).

Field Guide Descriptions: Beane et al. (2010).

Online Photos: Google iNaturalist GBIF

Observation Methods: Scarletsnakes may be sampled using drift fences with pitfall traps and cover objects. They may be incidentally encountered under cover objects or road-cruised, especially in rainy conditions.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution Comments: In North Carolina, Scarletsnakes may be found across much of the state, though records are concentrated in the southeastern Coastal Plain. The species is absent from the Appalachian Mountains and the Outer Banks. It has been reported from elevations as high as 579 m in NC, though also from higher elevations in other states.
Distribution Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995)
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Key Habitat Requirements

Habitat: This species occurs primarily in the southern Coastal Plain, where it is associated with xeric woodlands and barrens with extensive areas of well-drained sands. Maritime forests are used on the barrier islands and sandridge habitats dominated by Longleaf Pines and xerophytic oaks further inland (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). Records from the Piedmont also come from sandy areas (e.g., in Anson County) or other areas with the loose soils they require for burrowing. Woody debris and leaf litter may also be important for both shelter and foraging (Gibbons, 2017).

Biotic Relationships: Scarletsnakes feed predominately on the eggs of other reptiles, though small lizards, snakes, frogs, salamanders, mice, and some invertebrates have been reported in their diet (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Scarletsnakes are known prey of Coralsnakes, birds, and large toads, and are likely predated by a larger variety of species than have been recorded. Scarletsnakes are also known to consume conspecific eggs (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Ernst and Ernst, 2003).

Life History and Autecology

Breeding and Courtship: Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 36 cm total length, though gravid snakes as small as 33 cm have been reported (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). Mating occurs in the spring (March to June).

Reproductive Mode: Scarletsnakes are oviparous and typically lay eggs in summer (late May to late August; most occurring in July) that hatch in later summer or September. Clutches average 2-9 white, elongate eggs averaging 32 mm long.

Hatchlings are approximately 15 cm in total length, and weigh 2-6 g (Ernst and Ernst, 2003).

Terrestrial Life History: Scarletsnakes are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal, spending the day burrowed in the soil or under stumps, logs, and other cover objects. Although they have been recorded in North Carolina in every month of the year, most activity occurs in the late spring and summer, between May and August.

Reynolds (1980) estimated average home-range sizes for males in North Carolina to be 1627 m² (n=4) and females 1395 m² (n=2).

General Ecology

Adverse Environmental Impacts

Status in North Carolina

NHP State Rank: S3

Global Rank: G5

Status in North Carolina: W1,W5

Photo Gallery for Cemophora coccinea - Scarletsnake		10 photos are shown.
	Recorded by: Chuck Miller New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: A. Ledford Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:	Recorded by: M. Griffin Stokes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Chris Helms Columbus Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: E. Corey Cumberland Co. Comment:	Recorded by: E. Corey Cumberland Co. Comment:

Cemophora coccinea - Scarletsnake

Photo Gallery for Cemophora coccinea - Scarletsnake

10 photos are shown.