Tantilla planiceps Western Black-headed Snake
Also known as:
California Black-headed Snake
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County, CaliforniaApril 22, 2009
Western Black-headed Snake (Tantilla planiceps)
These little snakes are considered common but not commonly seen, because they spend most of their time under cover or underground. They are also easy to miss when cruising the roads at night since they are so very small. But I was driving slowly in the vain hope of finding a Barefoot Gecko (Coleonyx switaki), so this tiny fellow right at the edge of the road did not escape my sight.
Printed references: