Species profile
Western Black-Headed Snake
Tantilla planiceps
Identify Western Black-Headed Snake (Tantilla planiceps) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Western Black-Headed Snake (Tantilla planiceps) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 415 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- Typically 7–14 inches long, distinguished by a dark cap on the top of its head.
- Rear-fanged and mildly venomous, it uses its venom primarily to subdue centipedes.
- Native to coastal California scrubland and foothills of the Coast Ranges.
- Secretive and fossorial, it is most often found beneath rocks and leaf litter.
Where Western Black-Headed Snake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Western Black-Headed Snake
Background
Western black-headed snake (Tantilla planiceps), also known as the California black-headed snake, is a snake species endemic to the Californias (the U.S. State of California and the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico), as north as the San Francisco Bay and as far east as western Utah. It lives in mostly moist pockets in mostly arid or semiarid environments and spends much of its life…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Western Black-Headed Snake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Black-Headed Snake?
Western Black-Headed Snake (Tantilla planiceps) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Western Black-Headed Snake?
Western Black-Headed Snake is Tantilla planiceps.
Is Western Black-Headed Snake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Western Black-Headed Snake has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Western Black-Headed Snake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Western Black-Headed Snake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.