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Carphophis amoenus

(Say, 1825)

Common Wormsnake

G5Secure Found in 27 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.786550
Element CodeARADB02010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae
GenusCarphophis
Other Common Names
eastern wormsnake (EN) Eastern Worm Snake (EN) Worm Snake (EN)
Concept Reference
Clark, D. R., Jr. 1968. A proposal of specific status for the western worm snake, Carphophis amoenus vermis (Kennicott). Herpetologica 24:104-112.
Taxonomic Comments
Clark (1968) recommended elevating C. (a.) vermis to species status on the basis of allopatry and morphological differences, but Rossman (1973) presented evidence for the conspecificity of amoenus and vermis in the form of intergrade populations. Collins (1991) considered C. vermis to be distinct from C. amoenus, implying that the populations discussed by Rossman were either part of C. vermis, or an unnamed taxon. Crother (2017) follow Clark (1968) but anticipate results from molecular studies to better understand population structure and gene flow among allopatric lineages.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-10-08
Change Date1996-10-29
Edition Date2025-10-08
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G. (2005); rev. R. L. Gundy (2025)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
This species is widespread and abundant across the eastern U.S.
Range Extent Comments
The range extends from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, southeastern New York, and Massachusetts south to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, west to the Mississippi River and a little west of the Mississippi in the vicinity of eastern Arkansas, and east to the Atlantic coast (Ernst et al. 2003). Elevational range extends to at least 1,311 meters (4,300 feet) in North Carolina (Palmer and Braswell 1995). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, range extent is estimated to be 1.5 millioin km² (RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a very large number of occurrences or subpopulations (see maps in Palmer and Braswell 1995 and Ernst et al. 2003).
Threat Impact Comments
Threats include habitat loss due to development, and habitat degradation due to soil erosion (Diefenbacher and Pauley 2014). Locally, some populations likely have been reduced as a result of conversion of habitat to intensive human uses. Increases in temperature due to urbanization may increase predation rates during cooler months (Herrera and Cove 2020).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

The habitat consists of mesic, wooded or partially wooded areas (hardwood or pine), often along edges or ecotones, such as near wetlands or margins of farm fields, and often in hilly areas but sometimes in flatwoods (Dundee and Rossman 1989, Palmer and Braswell 1995, Hulse et al. 2001, Ernst and Ernst 2003). This snake occurs in loose damp soil, under surface cover or leaf litter, or in rotted logs; it goes deep undergound during cold or dry weather. Eggs are laid under rocks, in rotting logs, stumps, or sawdust piles (Mount 1975, Collins 1982).

Ecology

In Kansas, home range size was estimated at 707-7543 square feet for various age and sex classes; population density was estimated at about 340-740/ha (Clark 1970). In Kentucky, home range size averaged 253 sq m (Barbour et al. 1969).

Reproduction

Lays clutch of 1-8 eggs, June-July. Eggs hatch in about 7 weeks, in August-September. Sexually mature in 2nd or 3rd year (Clark 1970, Behler and King 1979, Minton 1972).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodWoodland - HardwoodGrassland/herbaceousSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
OhioSNRYes
TennesseeS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS2Yes
Rhode IslandS1Yes
KentuckyS5Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
New YorkS2Yes
ConnecticutS4Yes
GeorgiaS5Yes
AlabamaS5Yes
MarylandS5Yes
New JerseySNRYes
LouisianaS5Yes
West VirginiaS4Yes
DelawareS5Yes
South CarolinaS5Yes
IndianaS4Yes
MassachusettsS1Yes
IllinoisSNRYes
MississippiS5Yes
District of ColumbiaS4Yes
ArkansasS2Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentRestricted (11-30%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areasRestricted (11-30%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
1.2 - Commercial & industrial areasRestricted (11-30%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.3 - Temperature extremesLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (27)
Alabama (2)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Cheaha ATalladega National Forest236
Georgia (3)
AreaForestAcres
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Pink KnobChattahoochee National Forest12,127
Rocky MountainChattahoochee National Forest4,269
Indiana (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mogan RidgeHoosier National Forest8,435
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
North Carolina (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Tennessee (2)
AreaForestAcres
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Virginia (13)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Shawvers Run AdditionJefferson National Forest1,927
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
Three SistersGeorge Washington National Forest8,149
References (28)
  1. Barbour, R. W., M. J. Harvey, and J. W. Hardin. 1969. Home range, movement, and activity of the eastern worm snake, <i>Carphophis amoenus</i> <i>amoenus</i>. Ecology 50:470-476.
  2. Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.
  3. Clark, D. R., Jr. 1968. A proposal of specific status for the western worm snake, <i>Carphophis amoenus vermis</i> (Kennicott). Herpetologica 24:104-112.
  4. Clark, D. R., Jr. 1970. Ecological study of the worm snake <i>Carphophis vermis</i> (Kennicott). University of Kansas publications, Museum of Natural History19:85-194.
  5. Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. 3rd ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp.
  6. Collins, J. T. 1991. Viewpoint: a new taxonomic arrangement for some North American amphibians and reptiles. SSAR Herpetol. Review 22:42-43.
  7. Collins, J. T., and T. W. Taggart. 2002. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians, turtles, reptiles, & crocodilians. Fifth edition. Publication of The Center for North American Herpetology, Lawrence, Kansas. iv + 44 pp.
  8. Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America. Third edition, expanded. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. 616 pp.
  9. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Sixth edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37:1-84. Online with updates at: http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/comm_names/Index.php
  10. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
  11. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
  12. Crother, B. I., J. Boundy, J. A. Campbell, K. de Queiroz, D. R. Frost, R. Highton, J. B. Iverson, P. A. Meylan, T. W. Reeder, M. E. Seidel, J. W. Sites, Jr., T. W. Taggart, S. G. Tilley, and D. B. Wake. 2000 [2001]. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herpetological Circular No. 29. 82 pp.
  13. DeGraaf, R. M., and D. D. Rudis. 1983a. Amphibians and reptiles of New England. Habitats and natural history. Univ. Massachusetts Press. vii + 83 pp.
  14. Diefenbacher, E. H., and T. K. Pauley. 2014. Notes on the distribution and natural history of the eastern wormsnake (<i>Carphophis amoenus amoenus</i>) in West Virginia. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 21(4): 120–124.
  15. Dundee, H. A., and D. A. Rossman. 1989. The amphibians and reptiles of Louisiana. Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge.
  16. Ernst, C. H., and E. M. Ernst. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C.
  17. Ernst, C. H., J. M. Orr, and T. R. Creque. 2003a. <i>Carphophis</i>. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 773:1-2.
  18. Ernst, C. H., J. M. Orr, and T. R. Creque. 2003b. <i>Carphophis amoenus</i>. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 774:1-7.
  19. Ernst, C. H., J. M. Orr, and T. R. Creque. 2003c. <i>Carphophis vermis</i>. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 775:1-4.
  20. Green, N. B., and T. K. Pauley. 1987. Amphibians and reptiles in West Virginia. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. xi + 241 pp.
  21. Herrera, D. J., and M. V. Cove. 2020. Camera trap serendipity and citizen science point to broader effects of urban heat islands on food webs. Food Webs 25: e00176. doi: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2020.e00716
  22. Hulse, A. C., C. J. McCoy, and E. Censky. 2001. Amphibians and reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press, Ithaca. 419 pp.
  23. Minton, S. A., Jr. 1972. Amphibians and reptiles of Indiana. Indiana Academy Science Monographs 3. v + 346 pp.
  24. Minton, S. A., Jr. 2001. Amphibians & reptiles of Indiana. Revised second edition. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis. xiv + 404 pp.
  25. Mount, R. H. 1975. The reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama. vii + 347 pp.
  26. Palmer, W. M., and A. L. Braswell. 1995. Reptiles of North Carolina. North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
  27. Rossman, D. A. 1973. Evidence of conspecificity of <i>Carphophis amoenus</i> (Say) and <i>Carphophis vermis</i> (Kennicott). Journal of Herpetology 7:140-141.
  28. Trauth, S. E., H. W. Robison, and M. V. Plummer. 2004. The amphibians and reptiles of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Press.