Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea) is considered uncommon to rare in Maryland, and is ranked as S3 (watch list). It is restricted to the coastal plain (Maryland DNR site). This attractive lampropeltine species favors wooded habitats with dry, sandy soils, e.g. pine forest. Scarletsnakes are largely fossorial, spending much of its time underground, so they prefer loose sand to facilitate burrowing. It appears to favor reptile eggs as the bulk of its diet, though other prey may include small rodents or reptiles (Tennant, 2003).
They are harmless.
Prey species include small rodents, lizards, and other snakes.
There are 15 records in the project database.
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