Click on pictures to enlarge
(Tantilla nigriceps)
| Identification: Upper scales smooth
(unkeeled), uniformly light brown; dark cap extends 3–5 scale lengths
beyond rearmost large scales on top of head; rear edge of dark cap usually
somewhat pointed; belly pink or orange; anal scale divided; maximum total
length about 39 cm (15.4 inches).
|
 |
Colorado Distribution:
Known from southeastern Colorado,
the Republican River drainage in northeastern Colorado, and the eastern margin
of the Front Range. Secretive, usually difficult to find, but locally
common.
Habitat: Flat plains grassland, sandhills,
mountain foothills, and rocky canyons; sometimes can be found in old rubbish
dumps. A terrestrial and fossorial species that during daylight hours can be
found beneath rocks, wood, dried cow dung, or other debris; in yucca plants; and
in rotting logs near streams.
Life History:
Females lay eggs, probably in late
June or July. Hatchlings emerge in August-September. The diet includes spiders,
millipedes, centipedes, and insect larvae, pupae, and adults.