Eastern Wormsnake

Scientific Name: Carphophis amoenus
Size: 4 to 9 in. (18-22 cm) in length
Status: Species of special concern

Habitat:
Rocky bluffs, pine wood and hardwood forest, old fields, partially wooded areas near/above streams, wetland borders. May be found under rocks, logs, stumps, or in flower beds.

Description:
Short stout snake with a small, blunt head that is not distinct from the body; Small round functional eyes; short narrow (pointy) tail. The scales are smooth and shiny. The upper body is gray to brown or black and patternless. The belly color is light pink, reddish-pink to light brown, tan, or light gray. This belly coloration extend 1-2 rows on the side of the body. The Wormsnake gets its name because it resembles an earthworm.

Adult Coloration:
  • The dorsal is gray to brown or black unpatterned.
  • The ventral is a light pink, reddish-pink to light brown, tan, or light gray.
  • The ventral coloration extend 1-2 rows on the side of the body.
Adult Characteristics:
  • Small, slender species.
  • The Worm Snake gets its name because it resembles an earthworm.
  • The body is short and stout with a short narrow (pointy) tail.
  • The head is small and blunt with no distinction from the body.
  • Good burrowers and will go underground during dry seasons. -Fossorial species-
  • Small round functional eyes.
  • Dorsal scales are smooth and opalescent/glossy.
  • Young have a darker pattern and brighter underside than the adults.
Juvenile Characteristics:
  • Similar looking to adults.
Scale Count:
  • 13 scale rows at midbody
  • 109-145 ventral scales
  • 22-41 subcaudals
  • 2 rows of subcaudals
  • 1 nasal scale
  • 1 loreal scale
  • 0 preocular scales
  • 1 postocular scale
  • 1+1 temporal scales
  • 5 supralabials
  • 6 infralabials
  • Anal plate is divided
Range:

Juvenile Gallery:
Worm Snake - Juvenile By: Jason Poston

May be Confused With:

Dekay’s Brownsnake

Mountain Earthsnake

Red-bellied Snake
References:
  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 267-269pp.
  • Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 53-56pp.
Credits:
  • Jason Poston
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Scott Moser
  • Billy Brown
  • Wayne Fidler
  • Chris Bortz
  • Bob Ferguson

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