Tantilla nigriceps
Field ID: Small, smooth-scaled snake. Body is a uniform light brown, with a black cap on the head. Rear edge of cap is pointed. Belly is white. Pinkish or orange stripe down center of underside. Size: 7–15 inches (17.8–38.1 cm).
Habitat: Prairie grasslands, sandhills, canyons, foothills.
Distribution: Throughout southeastern Colorado; in northeastern Colorado along tributaries of the South Platte River at the base of the Front Range; in the Republican River drainage; up to about 7,000 feet.
Field Notes: The small and secretive black-headed snake is probably widespread and common in much of eastern Colorado, but goes unnoticed. It is active mainly at night, spending the day in moist hiding places beneath rocks, fallen limbs, tree trunks, or other ground debris, as well as in rotting stumps or logs. It feeds on small, soft-bodied invertebrates, including insect larvae, slugs, and centipedes. There are grooved teeth at the back of its jaw, which it uses to hold on to prey while they are incapacitated by its toxic saliva (which is toxic to invertebrates, but not dangerous to people).
Legal Status: Nongame.