WESTERN WORM SNAKE

Photo © by Suzanne L. Collins
Used by permission

• Size:   Length in Kansas up 14 3/8 inches.

• Description:   Harmless. Shiny, smooth scales. Body uniform dark gray above; pink or coral belly, color extends up onto second scale row of body. Head is flattened to aid in burrowing. Young same as adults, but belly may be more intense pink.
• Habits:   Found under rocks, on rocky wooded hillsides and along forest edge. Active from March to November; breeds in spring and lays up to 5 eggs that hatch in August. Eats earthworms. Very secretive; generally can only be found under rocks during April; spends rest of year beneath the ground. Never bites.

  Other Kansas snakes with lengthwise stripes

  Brown Snake	Common Garter Snake
  Graham's Crayfish Snake	Plains Garter Snake
  Western Ribbon Snake	Lined Snake

  Click here for information on precautions against being bitten by snakes
  and what to do if you have been bitten by one.

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