Big Bend Black-Headed Snake
Tantilla rubra
A small, reddish-brown desert snake with a dark head cap, found in rocky canyons of the Big Bend region.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 20-30 cm (8-12 in)
- Range
- Big Bend region of Trans-Pecos Texas and adjacent Mexico
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Overview
The Big Bend Black-Headed Snake is a small, secretive colubrid found in the rugged canyon country of far West Texas. It is part of the widespread Tantilla rubra group of red/black-headed snakes found across Mexico and the southwestern US.
It spends the vast majority of its life hidden beneath surface objects or in loose soil, rarely seen even where locally common.
How to identify it
- Reddish-brown to tan dorsal coloration
- Dark to black cap over the head, sometimes bordered by a pale collar
- Small, cylindrical body with smooth scales
- Belly typically pale, sometimes with a faint pinkish tinge
- Similar Tantilla species separated mainly by geographic range and head-pattern detail
Habitat & range
Inhabits rocky canyons, arroyos, and desert scrub with loose soil or rock cover in the Big Bend region of Trans-Pecos Texas and adjacent northern Mexico.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Secretive and fossorial, active mostly at night or after rain, hiding under rocks and debris during the day. Feeds on centipedes and other invertebrates. Lays eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it venomous to humans?
It has mild rear-fang venom for subduing invertebrate prey and is not dangerous to people.
Where does it live?
In rocky canyons and desert scrub of the Big Bend region of West Texas and nearby Mexico.
Why is it hard to find?
It is small, nocturnal, and spends most of its time hidden under rocks or in loose soil.
Big Bend Black-Headed Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Big Bend Black-Headed Snake.
