The Worm snake (genus Carphophis) is a little colubrid non-venomous snake endemic to the eastern and central United States.
There are two recognized species at the Carphophis genus, referred to as the worm snake (Carphophis amoenus) with two subspecies along with the western worm snake (Carphophis vermis).
A number of the species favored habitats comprise of moist, rugged, wooded or partly mountainous regions most frequently in scenic places but they’re occasionally located in flat-woods. These snakes are located in woodland or forest borders near cypress swamps wetlands or plantation areas.
Worm snakes typically hide under leaf litter, mulch piles, weedy pastures, beneath stones, dead logs, tree barks, or rotting stumps, and in loose moist soil. During cold or cold weather these fossorial snakes move.
All these are small snakes reaching just about 13 or 14 inches (33 to 35 cm) in total length. Females are larger than males.
Worm snakes normally have a light to dark brown upper-side, while their bottom is obviously a lighter coloration, which ranges from orange or pink to white. This shade located on the stomach can be visible on the faces of the human body and extends.
Their body is covered with sleek glossy scales, so they also possess a thin pointed head with little, rounded, black eyes, and a sharp tail trick. Specimens are similar in look.
Worm snakes are rather readily mistaken for other comparable snake species, such as the
Brownish snake Storeria dekayi), rough ground snake (Haldea striatula), red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) or the ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus).
The Worm snake is a fossorial species, which means that it spends all its life buried in the loose, rocky land, or beneath the forest leaf litter. That’s why although regarded plentiful they are seen in the wild.
Although harmless to people, as they are not venomous, if picked up they’ll often press their tail trick contrary to their captor. These snakes are preyed upon by Ophiophagus snakes species such as the coral snakes in habitats.
However they also fall prey to numerous different predators like birds, big lizards, toads, and some tiny mammals such as skunks, Opossums or even foxes. They can live up to 4 years in the wild.
The Worm snake is getting popular amongst snake fans and may be kept as a pet, with their shy nature they are extremely acceptable for beginners.
Worm Snake Species
Eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus – Say, 1825) – Located in the eastern United States, which ranges from southern New England to central Georgia and west to the Mississippi River.
Western worm snake (Carphophis vermis – Kennicott, 1859) – Located West of the Mississippi River, in southeastern Nebraska, Missouri, southern Iowa, eastern Kansas, western Illinois, Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas. There were several specimens located in the mountainous areas of Wisconsin and Arkansas.
Worm Snake Diet
These small snakes feed almost entirely on earthworms and grubs, which the Worm snake finds from burrowing deep into the ground.
But occasionally they can eat soft-bodied or bugs, and on very infrequent occasions they might even feed on little salamanders, slugs or snails.
Worm Snake Reproduction
Not much is known concerning the Worm snake breeding habits, however, they probably mate in the autumn and early spring. The eggs could be observed via the see-through bottom of the female before being put.
The eggs are laid in summer in June into mid-July, typically under stones or within rotting logs or stumps. The clutch size is connected to the era and the size, ranging from two to 12 eggs that are little.
The eggs are somewhat elongated in shape and approximately 1 inch long. Following an incubation period of nearly two months, in the hatch in September or even August. At birth, the Worm snake hatchlings vary in length from 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 cm).
Worm Snake Conservation
Both species of this Worm snake are deemed common and without any significant threats proven to significantly endanger these snakes.
In certain places, their inhabitants have likely diminished as a consequence of habitat conversion to intensive human applications. The species shielded throughout the country of Georgia is thought of endangered in Massachusetts and also a species of concern.
