Sharp-tailed Snake

(Contia tenuis)

Description:
10-19" (25.4-48.3 cm). The short spine-tipped tail and alternating black and whitish crossbars on belly quickly identify it. Upper surfaces brown, yellowish- or reddish-brown, or gray often with an indistinct and lighter colored dorsolateral line. Scales smooth, in 15 rowws. Anal plate divided.
Breeding:
About 2-8 eggs, 1 3/4" (44 mm), are presumably laid late June to July; young 3" (7.6 cm) long, hatch in autumn.
Habitat:
Near streams or moist situations: pastures, open meadows, digger pine-blue oak woodland, oak-dominated foothills, and Douglas fir-vine maple forest; sea level to 6, 300' (1,900 m).
Range:
C. California, along Coast Ranges and east of the San Joaquin Valley in Sierra Nevadas, north to Wllamette Valley, Oregon. Isolated populations in Pierce and Klickitat counties, Washington, and North Pinder Island, British Columbia.

Surface activity coincides with the rainy season. This snake most commonly seen beneath logs or rocks, March to early June, after a warm rain. During dry months it retreats underground. Diet is largely restricted to slugs.

[Home]> [Back]

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page