2007). Engelhardtia 4(1):1-7. 2007), fossorial (living underground) snake that resembles an earthworm (Klemens 1993). Amphibians and reptiles in Kansas. This includes collecting information on age and sex ratios, longevity, age at sexual maturity, survivorship of young, predator-prey relationships, and specific habitat requirements (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 2006). Ideally the food for the worm snakes can be bought from a bait store or also a local pet shop. Worm snakes The species is reported from moist forests, as well as from drier habitats (McLeod and Gates 1998), and Orr (2006) determined that microhabitat soil moisture in wormsnake habitat ranged from 10% to 83% in Virginia, depending upon the season and year. 112. © A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America. Snakes of New York. C. amoenus is unpatterned and can be tan to dark brown in color. The tail terminates at a blunt spine (Gibbs et al. Worm snakes eat almost entirely earthworms, but they will also consume soft-bodied insects. They do not eat organic matter like earthworms, they actually feed almost exclusively on earthworms, but these creatures have a number of enemies themselves. If you encounter an eastern wormsnake, observe it from a distance and allow it to go on its way. (Accessed: December 19, 2007). Rarely they may eat soft-bodied insect larvae or slugs. Carphophis amoenus (Say, 1825). The worm snake is native to the eastern United States and is fairly common, although it is rarely seen by humans. The underside has a pink hue and is also plain and unmarked. It has five upper labials and one postocular scale. Wormsnakes have relatively small home ranges (NatureServe 2007) and the average home range size in Kentucky is reported to be 253 square meters (0.06 acres). are very small in size and have a black, gray or brown back. The snake's back is essentially unmarked, plain brown, the scales are smooth. Get the facts at ct.gov/coronavirus. and J.M. Albany, NY. Schlauch, F.C. It also can emit an unpleasant odor from anal glands if stressed. 51. Orr (2006) suggested that the distribution of wormsnakes is probably influenced by soil pH, at least at his study site in Virginia, and he found that the pH range in wormsnake habitats (5.0 to 6.9) was similar to the preferred range of the wormsnake's primary prey, the earthworm. 33: 1-62. It has been found throughout Connecticut, except for the extreme northwestern corner. Ed. Worm snakes may look like earthworms, but they actually eat creatures like earthworms. Review 22:42-43. 1969. Nat. Amphibians and reptiles of Indiana. Also make sure the food is not to large as you don't want to cause them trouble by eating food to large for their bodies. They are very good at burrowing to get their food. and F.C. The range includes Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, including the Hudson Highlands east and west of the Hudson River, and the Albany Pine Bush. (, Chestnut oak forest 2007). 2007).