When this happens stop and appreciate the opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of this diminutive reptile.įor further details on all North Carolina snakes visit the Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina website, maintained by the Davidson College Herpetology Lab and click on any “Snakes” thumbnail. They are sometimes encountered when digging in mulch or compost. Although common throughout the state, worm snakes are seldom seen in the wild due to their secretive nature. They seek food and shelter in leaf litter, rotting logs, or by burrowing into the soil where they seek out earthworms as a primary food source, along with insect larvae and slugs. When threatened they do not use bite but may wiggle around wildly before attempting to go undercover. Like most snakes in North Carolina, worm snakes are nonvenomous. Take another look to see that the worm snake is two-toned, displaying brown on the top with a pink underside. The worm snake, (Carphophis amoenus), is so small that at first glance one might mistake it for an earthworm, but look closely to see a body covered in dry scales and a small head with two noticeable eyes, traits not seen in earthworms.

Download eastern worm snake