Florida Crowned Snake
Tantilla relicta
A tiny, secretive, nonvenomous Florida snake with a dark head that lives beneath leaf litter and sandy soil.
The Florida Crowned Snake is a small burrowing species associated with dry sandy uplands, hammocks, and pine habitat. It spends most of its life under logs, rocks, leaf litter, and soil.
It appears most often after rain or when landscaping materials are moved. Its small size and hidden lifestyle make encounters uncommon.
Habitat:
Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Scrub and Dry Prairie, Forests and Woodlands
Area / Range:
North Florida, Central Florida
Diet:
Eats centipedes, spiders, insect larvae, and other small soil invertebrates.
Behavior:
Secretive and fossorial. It hides under natural cover and loose debris and does not behave aggressively toward people.
Nighttime, Dawn and Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
After warm rain beneath natural cover in sandy pine or hammock habitat.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Not broadly listed; localized subspecies and dry upland habitats face development pressure.
Safety Level:
Low
Safety Information:
Nonvenomous and harmless. Avoid handling because small snakes are easily injured. Return displaced cover gently.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes centipedes and other small invertebrates in soil and leaf litter.
Property Concerns:
No property concern. Clearing leaf litter, removing all ground cover, and heavy pesticide use reduce habitat.
Fun Fact:
- It spends most of its life underground.
- The dark head gives the species its crowned appearance.
- It is found almost entirely in Florida.
Wildlife Laws:
Native snakes should not be killed or collected without lawful authority. Protected populations or lands may carry additional restrictions.
Identification:
Slender tan, reddish, or gray-brown body with a dark head and neck. Adults are usually less than a foot long and have smooth scales.