Description: A Tantilla with an almost uniformly black head, the pigmentation including the chin and labials and terminating 3 to 4 scales posterior to the parietal; no light nuchal collar; mental barely in contact with anterior chin-shields; ventrals 167, subcaudals 82

Habitat: Habitats include steep-sided rocky canyons with pinyon pine, oak, and juniper; hilly grassland with juniper and cholla; streamside woodland with creosote-bush, acacia, yucca, and grasses; and low hills of arid grassland with creosote-bush, yucca, ocotillo, and agave; at elevations of 1,180-1,712 meters. This secretive, fossorial snake is usually under cover, underground, or in crevices; it may travel on the surface at night in summer when surface moisture is present.

Range: The range encompasses the Trans-Pecos region of western Texas; from near Shafter (Presidio County), through the Big Bend region (Davis and Chisos mountains) and east to the Dolan Falls area of Val Verde County. Small range in the Trans-Pecos region of western Texas; trend unknown but presumably stable.

Found in these States:

Diet: Eats small centipedes and slugs.

Reproduction: Oviparous. Lays clutch of 1-3 eggs in summer.

Status: Listed as Least Concern since, although its currently known extent of occurrence is not much more than 20,000 km², it occurs in an area of extensive, suitable habitat which appears not to be under significant threat, it has a presumed large population, and it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: