Common Wormsnake
ExploreReptiles
Common Wormsnake
Carphophis amoenus
The Common Wormsnake is a small, harmless snake that loves to hide under leaves and rocks. It has a smooth, shiny body and is usually brown or gray, making it easy to blend in with the ground.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Common Wormsnake is a small, slender serpent with smooth, glossy scales. It has a distinctive pinkish-brown to dark brown back that contrasts sharply with its bright pink or reddish belly. Its head is small and pointed, not much wider than its body.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyColubridaeGenusCarphophis
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
12
Interesting facts
Despite its name, it's not a worm; it's a real, harmless snake!
It spends almost its entire life underground, a true soil dweller!
This tiny snake has scales so smooth, they feel like polished glass!
When scared, it sometimes pretends to be an earthworm to trick predators!
Special abilities
Ability
Digging Dynamo
Common Wormsnake can burrow through loose soil because of its pointed head and smooth scales that help them tunnel quickly.
Ability
Tail Tapper
Common Wormsnake has a stiff, pointed tail that helps them poke or push against predators, startling them into releasing the snake.
Ability
Worm Whisperer
Common Wormsnake can find hidden earthworms underground because of its keen sense of smell, helping them locate their favorite food.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 18-34 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.015 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-8
- Incubation
- 30-50 days
Diet & Feeding
This snake loves to slurp up earthworms and other soft-bodied invertebrates found underground.
Primary Foods
- Earthworms
- Slugs
- Soft-bodied insects
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
Their primary food source, found by burrowing through soil.
eaten by
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
A common predator that digs up and eats these snakes.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
An aerial predator that preys on exposed snakes.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Wormsnakes are not dangerous, but it's always best to watch snakes from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Common Wormsnake?
The easiest way to identify Common Wormsnake is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Common Wormsnake?
18-34 cm
How much does Common Wormsnake weigh?
0.005-0.015 kg
How long does Common Wormsnake live?
5-10 years
How fast can Common Wormsnake move?
0.5 km/h
What does Common Wormsnake eat?
This snake loves to slurp up earthworms and other soft-bodied invertebrates found underground.
Where is Common Wormsnake usually found?
Forests
How does Common Wormsnake hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
May 17, 2026
Blackbird State Foresti
Photo attribution
(c) inbetweenbays, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 17, 2026
Blackbird State Foresti
Photo attribution
(c) inbetweenbays, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 17, 2026
Blackbird State Foresti
Photo attribution
(c) inbetweenbays, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park35 sightings50 species
Delaware, US
Blackbird State Forest
You might spot Northern Cricket Frog, Fan Clubmoss, and Fowler's Toad.
View guide →
Park47 sightings50 species
Maryland, US
Elk Neck State Park
You might spot Common Pawpaw, Zebra Swallowtail, and Bald Eagle.
View guide →
Park45 sightings50 species
Tennessee, US
Isaac Franklin Plantation
You might spot Pond Slider, White-Tailed Deer, and Great Blue Heron.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
North Carolina, US
Bethabara Historic District
You might spot American Tuliptree and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
View guide →
Park28 sightings12 species
Virginia, US
Conway-Robinson Memorial State Forest
You might spot Crane-Fly Orchid, Wild Geranium, and Cutleaf Coneflower.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Connecticut, US
Downtown Seymour Historic District
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Bee, and Red Fox.
View guide →
