Tantilla melanocephala | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Tantilla |
Species: | T. melanocephala
|
Binomial name | |
Tantilla melanocephala | |
Synonyms | |
Tantilla melanocephala, commonly known as the black-headed snake or neotropical black-headed snake, is a species of small colubrid snake endemic to Central America and South America.
In Central America it is found from Guatemala south to Panama.[3] In South America it is found from Trinidad and Tobago south to northern Argentina.[4]
Tantilla melanocephala may attain a total length of 50 cm (20 in), which includes a tail 10 cm (3.9 in) long.[2]
Dorsally, it is pale brown or red, and some specimens also have 3 or 5 narrow brown stripes. The top of the head and neck are black or dark brown. Ventrally, it is yellowish white.[2]
The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and arranged in 15 rows at midbody.[2]