The worm snakes’ scientific name is Carphophis amoenus. An average worm snake is about 7.5 to 12.5 inches long, with a small, pointed head, chestnut brown color with a pinkish belly. The tail of a worm snake, though very sharp is very harmless.

The worm snake lives around forested places, and moist environments throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. More specifically, they live under logs and stones.

* Their feeding habits are that they prey at night on mainly earthworms. However, they also prey on small salamanders and slugs. Carnivorous mammals, large birds, and other snakes (king snakes and black racers) prey on worm snakes.

A worm snake female normally deposits 2 to 8 eggs... in sawdust piles and rotten logs!! Hatchlings are usually about 100 mm long and are darker than their parents.

It may sound surprising, but worm snakes are very harmless. They do not bite, and are inoffensive to most things. These reptiles are also endangered and it is illegal to harass, kill, or abuse it in Massachusetts.