Carphophis vermis

"Western worm snake" redirects here. For another species with this name, see Namibiana occidentalis.

Carphophis vermis (common name western worm snake)^[5] is a species of small, nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the United States.

Western worm snake
Carphophis vermis in Arkansas, USA
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Carphophis
Species:	C. vermis
Binomial name
Carphophis vermis (Kennicott, 1859)
Synonyms
Celuta vermis Kennicott, 1859 Carphophiops vermis — Cope, 1898 Carphophis vermis — Stejneger & T. Barbour, 1917[1] Carphophis amoena vermis — Conant & Bridges, 1939[2] Carphophis amoenus vermis — A.H. Wright & A.A. Wright, 1957[3] Carphophis vermis — Conant & Collins, 1991[4]

Etymology

The specific name, vermis, is Latin for "worm".^[6]

Physical description

The western worm snake has a dark, black or purplish dorsal coloration, with a lighter, pink or reddish underside.^[7]

Adults are usually from 19–28 cm (7.5–11 in) in total length (including tail); however, the maximum recorded total length is 37.5 cm (14.8 in).^[8]

Geographic range

The western worm snake is found in the United States in southern Iowa, southeastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, western Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas with isolated records from southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Arkansas and middle Tennessee.^[4]

Behavior

C. vermis is fossorial, and spends the vast majority of time buried in loose, rocky soil, or under damp forest leaf litter. It is abundant within its range, but rarely seen due to its secretive nature.^[9]

Reproduction

Little is known about the mating habits of the western worm snake, but breeding likely occurs in the early spring. Eggs are laid in the early summer. Clutch size is normally 1-8 eggs, and hatching takes place in August or September. Hatchlings range in size from 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in total length.

Diet

The western worm snake's diet consists almost entirely of earthworms,^[9] but it will also consume soft-bodied insects.

Defense

If harassed, C. vermis will often release foul smelling musk from its cloaca. If handled, it may press its tail tip into the captor's hand as a defense mechanism.