Reptiles of North Carolina
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NC Records

Tantilla coronata - Southeastern Crowned Snake


Photo: Steve Hall and Chuck Smith
Photo: Erich Hofmann
Photo: Erich Hofmann
Taxonomy
Class: Reptilia Order: Serpentes Family: COLUBRIDAE Subfamily: Colubrinae
Taxonomic Comments: Tantilla currently consists of 67 species ranging throughout North, Central, and South America. This genus is considered part of the “Tantilla clade”, comprised of Tantilla and three additional genera restricted to Mexico and Central America: Geagras, Scolecophis, and Tantillita.

Species Comments: Tantilla coronata, the Southeastern Crowned Snake, is the only species of Tantilla found in North Carolina and the most wide-ranging member of the “coronata group”, which also includes T. oolitica (restricted to Florida) and T. relicta (found primarily in Florida with a small population reaching into extreme southern Georgia). No subspecies of T. coronata are currently recognized, though two were previously described: “T. c. wagneri” is a junior synonym of T. relicta, and “T. c. mitrifer” a junior synonym of T. coronata.

The generic epithet Tantilla is derived from the Latin tantillus, meaning “so little; a trifle”. The specific epithet coronata is from the Latin corona (“crown”), referring to the dark cap or “crown” of the species.

Taxonomic References: Schwartz (1953); Telford (1966; 1982); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Wilson and Mata-Silva (2015).
Identification
Description: Southeastern Crowned Snakes are small, secretive colubrids with slightly pointed, rounded heads allowing them to burrow under leaf litter, rocks, and into rotting logs. Their body is typically uniformly tan and unpatterned, with a dark brown or black collar encircling the anterior portion of the body. The head has a black cap separated from the black neck collar by a thinner, typically cream to light brown crossband. Light brown or tan patches may be visible on the postocular and supralabial scales of the head. The tan dorsum blends into a lighter, typically cream-colored venter that can appear translucent. Hatchlings are similarly patterned, though they may be more gray dorsally with a darker head and collar.
Morphological Features: Southeastern Crowned Snakes have smooth scales in 15 rows throughout the body. Ventral counts range from 123–147 (129–147 in North Carolina specimens examined by Palmer and Braswell, 1995), with subcaudals ranging 34–58 (37–52) and a divided anal plate. Head scales are typically: 7 supralabials, 6 infralabials, 2 nasals, no loreals, 1 preocular, 2 postocular, and 1+1 temporals.

They are small snakes with a maximum reported total length of 33 cm (12.9 inches) and a maximum snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 24.6 cm (9.7 inches). Mean SVLs reported by Todd et al. (2008a) for a population at the Savannah River Site in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina were 17.2 cm (6.8 inches) for males, 19.4 cm (7.6 inches) for females. Tail length is typically around 20% of the total length (16.6–22.6%; Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Southeastern Crowned Snakes are opisthoglyphous, meaning they have a pair of enlarged, grooved rear fangs at the back of the upper jaw; similar to several other species of Tantilla, they are thought to possess a venom that enables them to subdue relatively dangerous prey items such as centipedes, though further investigation into this mechanism is needed (see Rodriguez-Robles, 1994, and Hofmann et al., 2021, for more on Tantilla venom). These inoffensive snakes are completely harmless to humans and pets however, and do not bite when handled.

Males have longer tails, fewer ventral scales, and more subcaudal scales than females. Adult females are larger on average than males (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Ernst and Ernst, 2003; Todd et al., 2008). There is no consistent color or pattern dimorphism in this species.
Technical Reference: Telford (1966; 1982); Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003).
Field Guide Descriptions: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Beane et al. (2010).
Online Photos: iNaturalist; HerpMapper; Reptile Database   Google   iNaturalist   GBIF
Observation Methods: Southeastern Crowned Snakes are secretive and semi-fossorial. They can often be encountered accidentally when flipping rocks, breaking open rotting logs, or clearing brush and leaf litter. Drift fences with pitfall traps are the most effective means of sampling these snakes, and they may also be found under cover boards (Semlitsch et al., 1981; Todd et al., 2008a; E. Hofmann, pers. obs.)
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution Comments: Scattered records for Southeastern Crowned Snakes exist across much of North Carolina, but the secretive nature of this species makes it difficult to get a more precise understanding of its range in the state. It appears absent from the northeastern Coastal Plain and Outer Banks, as well as most of the Mountain region. Most records are from the southeastern Coastal Plain and Sandhills. In North Carolina, it has been reported from sea level up to 564 m elevation (Alexander County; Palmer and Braswell, 1995).
Distribution Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Beane et al. (2010).
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Key Habitat Requirements
Habitat: This species is a least partially fossorial and like our other burrowing species, it appears to be most abundant in the Coastal Plain, where it is associated with well-drained sandy soils. Both maritime habitats on the barrier islands are used and flatwoods and sandridges found further inland (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Beane et al., 2010). In the Piedmont and Mountains, it appears to be associated primarily with upland forests, especially dry, rocky, and open woodlands (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). Xeric microhabitats appear to be utilized more often than mesic environments (Semlitsch et al., 1981).
Environmental and Physiological Tolerances: In South Carolina, Semlitsch et al. (1981) reported more frequent activity after maximum air temperatures rose above 20°C and minimum air temperatures above 10°C. These snakes are rarely active in colder months; activity graphs of citizen science reports (via HerpMapper and iNaturalist) show these snakes are rarely recorded in North Carolina November–March. Inactive crowned snakes have been found below the ground surface and inside pine stumps during winter months (Ernst and Ernst, 2003). Crowned snake activity does not appear to be influenced by rainfall (Semlitsch et al., 1981).
Biotic Relationships: Southeastern Crowned Snakes almost exclusively predate arthropods; scolopendromorph centipedes (Cryptopidae, Plutoniumidae, Scolopendridae, and Scolopocryptopidae) and beetle larvae (Cucujoidea and Tenebrionidae) are the most common prey items. Other prey items include millipedes (Diplopoda) and roaches (Blattodea). The most thorough study of their ecology—undertaken at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina—found only centipedes as prey of more than 200 specimens taken at that location (Todd et al., 2008a).

Known predators include glass lizards and ophiophagous snakes. They are likely opportunistic prey for birds, mammals, and possibly large arthropods (spiders and centipedes).
Life History and Autecology
Breeding and Courtship: Based on Aldridge and Semlitsch (1992a; 1992b) and Semlitsch et al. (1981), Southeastern Crowned Snakes reach sexual maturity at around 15 cm SVL, sometime during their second or third year. Reproduction is thought to occur in late spring and summer, but few actual mating events have been observed. At the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, gravid females were reported from early May to late July (Todd et al., 2008a).
Reproductive Mode: Eggs are cylindrical, 2–3 cm long, and typically laid in clutches of 1–4 (Todd et al., 2008a). Little is known about nesting sites or conditions, but one nest containing two eggs was found under pine needles in Hoke County, in an open wiregrass/longleaf pine forest (J. Beane and D. Stephan, pers. comm., in Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Hatchlings are between 8–11 cm in total length (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).
Terrestrial Life History: Southeastern Crowned Snakes are typically nocturnal, spending the day hours under cover. They appear to be most active in late spring and summer, corresponding to their reproductive activity. In North Carolina, they've been recorded from March to December, but very few capture records exist from December–February (Semlitsch et al., 1981; Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Todd et al., 2008a); most activity is from April–July. Their maximum lifespan is not known.

These snakes are completely inoffensive and pose no threat to humans or pets. When handled, they typically attempt to “burrow” into the fingers, but do not bite. They may also defecate or musk when handled.

Home ranges for this species have not been estimated.
General Ecology
Population Ecology: Despite their secretive nature, Southeastern Crowned Snakes can be locally abundant in the right habitats. Targeted sampling using drift fences and cover boards can turn up high numbers. Outside of the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, few populations have been well-studied. Semlitsch et al. (1981) found a two-to-one sex ratio in favor of males at SRS. Also at SRS, Todd et al. (2008a) also found male-biased sex ratios among snakes in pitfall traps July–October, but not during the remainder of the year. However, the results of these studies may indicate sampling bias, as males may be more likely to travel (and thus captured) during the reproductive season.
Community Ecology: Southeastern Crowned Snakes fill a unique niche as primarily centipede predators. These snakes have adapted to catching these potentially dangerous prey items by grasping them behind the head to subdue them. It is possible they inject small quantities of venom to aid in subduing their prey, as do other species of Tantilla. This unique dietary niche likely reduces direct competition with other small, semi-fossorial snake species—such as Wormsnakes (Carphophis amoenus), Ring-Necked Snakes (Diadophis punctatus), Dekay's Brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi) and Red-Bellied Snakes (S. occipitomaculata), and Earthsnakes (Haldea striatula and Virginia valeriae)—that are not known to predate centipedes.
Adverse Environmental Impacts
Habitat Loss: Clearcutting forests is known to have significant negative effects on Southeastern Crowned Snake recaptures, while partial canopy thinning increases abundance (Todd and Andrews, 2008).
Effects of Introduced Species/Induced Increases of Native Species: Little is known about the effect of introduced species on Southeastern Crowned Snakes. Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) may pose a threat to these semi-fossorial snakes, given their propensity for rooting in the leaf litter and ground surface where crowned snakes are often found. Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are known predators of some small amphibians and reptiles, and their presence increases with habitat alteration (being most prevalent in clear-cut forests; Todd et al., 2008b); their presence could pose a threat to crowned snakes seeking cover in such altered landscapes.
Interactions with Humans: Southeastern Crowned Snakes typically avoid crossing roads (Andrews and Gibbons, 2005). However, they are occasionally killed by pedestrians and cyclists when crossing smaller trails and bike paths. Like most snakes in our state, they are occasionally killed when encountered by humans out of fear, despite the fact they are completely harmless to humans and pets.
Status in North Carolina
NHP State Rank: S4
Global Rank: G5
Populations: Though thorough population-level studies of Southeastern Crowned Snakes in North Carolina are lacking, the species is considered Apparently Secure. It is likely more common than records indicate, given its semi-fossorial and nocturnal nature. How connected or disjunct different crowned snake populations are from one another needs to be investigated. The number and extent of southeastern crowned snake populations cannot be estimated within the state at this time.
Protected Lands: Southeastern Crowned Snakes are known from at least nine state parks in NC (DPR NRID, accessed 2022-06-29; iNaturalist, accessed 2022-06-29; NCSM Online Collections, accessed 2022-06-29; VertNet, accessed 2022-06-29).
Status Comments: Given the lack of population-level data on Southeastern Crowned Snakes in North Carolina, it is difficult to estimate the security of the species in the state. Clear-cutting poses a threat to the species by removing important habitat and facilitating the spread of invasive fire ants. The susceptibility of crowned snakes to the emerging fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiodiicola (Oo; snake fungal disease) is not known at this time, but infection is likely detrimental to the species. Similarly, Ranavirus (Rv) infection may contribute to behavioral changes and mortality in reptiles. One wild Southeastern Crowned Snake in North Carolina was found to be infected with Rv, but not Oo, in a study by Lentz et al. (2021).

Photo Gallery for Tantilla coronata - Southeastern Crowned Snake

9 photos are shown.

Recorded by: Matthew
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Matthew
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Billy Gottenstrater
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Billy Gottenstrater
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Billy Gottenstrater
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall and Chuck Smith
Robeson Co.
Comment: Found under cover on a Carolina Bay sand rim.