Worm Snake, Midwest

Latin name

Carphophis amoenus helenae

 

Fast facts

  • Adult body length: 8 - 15 inches
  • Body length at hatching: 3 - 4 inches
  • Breeding period: April to May, and September to October
  • Young per year: 1 - 8 eggs
  • Typical foods: earthworms and soft bodied insects

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    Appearance

    The Midwest Worm Snake is a very small, glossy brown-to-black snake that resembles an earthworm. Also, the belly of this snake is bright pink to reddish-pink. The tail is short and it tapers to a sharp tip.

    On top of the head of this snake there are scales between the nose and a large scale that lies between the eyes: the Eastern Worm Snake has four scales in that area, while the Midwest Worm Snake has only two.

    The Worm Snakes are larger than the earthworm-like Brahminy Blind Snake and the Worm Snakes have functional eyes. Also the Brahminy Blind Snake does not live in the wild in Ohio.

    Range

    Overall Range
    The Midwest Worm Snake ranges from southern Ohio to southern Illinois, southward to part of Georgia, and westward to southeastern Louisiana and eastern Arkansas.

    Range in Ohio
    The Midwest Worm Snake lives in the southern third of Ohio. Its range overlaps that of the Eastern Worm Snake [internal link] which lives in the eastern three-quarters of that area.

    Midwest Worm Snake Ohio Map

    Local Habitat
    The Midwest Worm Snake lives in damp hilly woodlands and in farmland that borders woodland. Also, these snakes live on partially wooded or grassy hillsides above streams. During dry periods they retreat deep underground where the soil is moister.

    Lifestyle

    These are secretive snakes, and except for occasional times during a damp spring, they are almost never seen in the open.