Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Higher classification Carphophis | |
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Similar Carphophis, Snake, Reptile, Regina grahamii, Eastern worm snake | ||
Carphophis vermis (common name western worm snake) is a species of small, nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the United States.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, vermis, is Latin for "worm".
Physical description
Western worm snakes have a dark, black or purplish dorsal coloration, with a lighter, pink or reddish underside.
Adults are usually from 19–28 cm (7.5–11 in) in total length; however, the maximum recorded total length is 37.5 cm (14.8 in).
Geographic range
Western worm snakes are found in the United States in southern Iowa, southeastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, western Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas with isolated records from southwestern Wisconsin, and southeastern Arkansas.
Behavior
Worm snakes are fossorial, and spend the vast majority of time buried in loose, rocky soil, or under damp forest leaf litter. They are abundant within their range, but rarely seen due to their secretive nature.
Reproduction
Little is known about their mating habits, but breeding likely occurs in the early spring. Eggs are laid in the early summer. Clutch size is normally 1-8 eggs, and hatching takes place in August or September. Hatchlings range in size from 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in total length.
Diet
The worm snake's diet consists almost entirely of earthworms, but it will also consume soft-bodied insects.
Defense
If harassed, it will often release foul smelling musk from its cloaca. If handled, it may press its tail tip into the captor's hand as a defense mechanism.
