Harmless · North Carolina
Southeastern Crowned Snake
Tantilla coronata
Small tan snake with a dark head cap.
At a glance
Size
Usually 7-10 inches.
North Carolina range
Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat
dry woods, sandy soils, under cover
Diet
Centipedes, spiders, insects, and other small invertebrates.
Pattern
dark head
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Tiny tan or brown snake with a black head cap, pale neck band, and a second dark neck band.
Where to look in North Carolina
Occurs mainly in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Dry woods and sandy soils beneath logs, rocks, bark, and leaf litter.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
