Characteristics:
    A small snake barely reaching a max length of 1ft. Back scales are brown to gray and the belly is pink. The pink color becomes dull with age. Scales are smooth and shiny. The head of this snake is pointed and the tail has a hard tip on it.

*Note: There are 2 subspecies of wormsnake in this area. The midwest wormsnake (C. a. helenae) and the western wormsnake (C. a. vermis).

Habitat:
   Found on wooded hillsides and open forests. Areas with loose rocky soil make great habitat for this burrowing snake.


Behavior:
   This tiny little snake is rarely seen because of its secretive habits.  They spend most of their time under cover or burrowing. They use their pointed head to borrow though loose soil. Mating takes place in the fall and eggs are laid the following year in early summer. The name "wormsnake" has a two fold meaning. They look  bit like a worm and burrow like a worm, but they also eat a diet of almost entirely earthworms.


Personal Remarks:
    This is a strange looking little snake. We rarely get to see them except in the spring when they can be found under rocks along the river bluffs. Although they can be found all along the Mississippi River bluffs in southern IL and almost anywhere in MO, we have only ever seen them in one location. Quite an elusive little snake!