Description

Although a large genus of species in South America, Rhadinaea flavilata is the only US representative. This snake is found in various pine-belt habitats among pine litter in the forest floor. Therefore, they only range in the pine savanna latitude of coastal and extreme southern MS. They are brown or nearly orange, and blend in quite well in their habitat. Belly is plain cream color. Identifying characters include a brown stripe through the eye, as well as yellow colored lip scales. Being a fossorial species, they are rarely spotted on the surface of their respective habitats.

Identifying Traits

• Brown-orange body with dark stripe through eye and yellow lip scales.
• Head elongated and rectangular (compared to Storeria sp.)

Habitat

Pine savannas, sandhills, piney wetlands, and coastal forests. Occasionally found in neighborhoods in coastal Mississippi.

Behavior

Fossorial, most often found under cover

Diet

Various invertebrates, earthworms and small insects