# Common Sharp-tailed Snake (*Contia tenuis*) The Common Sharp-tailed Snake is a small, slender snake that loves to hide in the grass. It has a unique sharp tail that helps it defend itself from predators. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Common Sharp-tailed Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Contia_tenuis_-_Parsa_Fard_-_610802651.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Parsa Fard, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Contia_tenuis_-_Parsa_Fard_-_610802651.jpeg) ## Appearance The Common Sharp-tailed Snake is a small, slender reptile with smooth scales. It has a reddish-brown to dark gray back and a creamy white belly with distinct black crossbars. Its most unique feature is a tiny, sharp spine at the tip of its tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Contia ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, its tail spine is harmless to humans! - These shy snakes rarely bite, preferring to escape danger. - They spend most of their lives hidden beneath the ground! - Young sharp-tailed snakes look just like tiny adults! ## Special abilities - **Pointy Defense:** Common Sharp-tailed Snake has a stiff, sharp scale at its tail tip that helps them poke predators as a warning. - **Slug Sensor:** Common Sharp-tailed Snake can hunt slugs and worms because of its specialized mouthparts, making them expert mollusk eaters. - **Hide & Seek Master:** Common Sharp-tailed Snake can disappear quickly because of its small size and preference for hiding under leaf litter and rocks. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-8 - **Incubation:** 60-80 days ## Diet & Feeding This tiny snake loves to munch on slimy slugs and soft worms! - **Primary Foods:** slugs, earthworms, snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Grey Field Slug (*Deroceras reticulatum*) — A primary food source - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — An important part of their diet - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A larger snake predator - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — A bird of prey ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a snake, it's best to watch it from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Sharp-tailed Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Sharp-tailed Snake? 18-30 cm ### How much does Common Sharp-tailed Snake weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Common Sharp-tailed Snake live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Common Sharp-tailed Snake move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Common Sharp-tailed Snake eat? This tiny snake loves to munch on slimy slugs and soft worms! ### Where is Common Sharp-tailed Snake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Common Sharp-tailed Snake hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Cottonwood Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cottonwood-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Empire Mine State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/empire-mine-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Mission Hills Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mission-hills-park) — California, US · Park [View all places to see Common Sharp-tailed Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-sharp-tailed-snake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Common Sharp-tailed Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-sharp-tailed-snake)