Sharp-tailed snake

For the sharp-tailed snake genus in the Colubridae, see Contia (snake).

The sharp-tailed snake or sharptail snake (Contia tenuis) is a small species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Western United States and British Columbia.

Sharp-tailed snake
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Contia
Species:	C. tenuis
Binomial name
Contia tenuis (Baird & Girard,1852)
Synonyms[2][3][4]
Calamaria tenuis Baird & Girard, 1852 Contia mitis Baird & Girard, 1853 Ablabes purpureocauda Günther, 1858 Homolosoma mite — Jan, 1862 Lodia tenuis — Cope, 1898 Contia tenuis — Stejneger & Barbour, 1917

Common names

Additional common names for C. tenuis include brown snake, gentle brown snake, Oregon worm snake, Pacific brown snake, Pacific ground snake, and purple-tailed snake.^[5]

Geographic range

C. tenuis is distributed through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as British Columbia, Canada: Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia around Victoria, British Columbia,^[6] and a newly discovered site in Pemberton, British Columbia.^[7][8]

Description

The sharp-tailed snake has an average total length (including tail) of 12–18 in (30–46 cm) as an adult. It is distinguished by its sharp tail spine, which is the protruding tip of the last tail vertebra. The spine is not toxic and cannot injure humans. Rather, the tail is used to stabilize small prey, such as slugs, for consumption. The dorsal surface ranges in color from grayish brown to brown to brick red, with bubble-gum pink and peachy-orange specimens occasionally found. The ventral surface is a striking series of black and white crossbars.^[9]

Behavior

The sharp-tailed snake is a shy, secretive creature most often encountered under rocks and logs, and rarely to never found in the open.^[9] It is able to persist in urban areas where appropriate cover can be found. It is known to burrow into soft soil or cracks in the clay, and may be encountered by people who are digging in the garden or removing concrete. When encountered, the sharp-tailed snake may roll into a ball and remain still. It can be mistaken for a worm by the casual observer.^{[citation needed]}

Diet

The diet of C. tenuis is largely restricted to slugs and eggs of slugs. It sometimes also eats insects and earthworms.^[9]

Reproduction

The adult female C. tenuis lays 4–16 eggs in the summer, underground or in a burrow. Each hatchling is 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) in total length (including tail).^{[citation needed]}