生长繁殖 Growth and reproduction 蠕蛇的交配发生在春季;在4月下旬至6月期间,最常发现雌雄性在一起。然后,在5月底和6月,透过雌性的半透明腹腔,可以看到发育中的卵。产卵期在6月初至7月中旬,弗吉尼亚州北部为6月5日-7月15日。卵在6月底或7月初产下,每窝2至8枚。卵光滑的,长型,长16-25 mm,宽7-8 mm。通常情况下,蛋的一端比另一端宽。孵化发生在8月或9月初。幼蛇总长约100毫米。它们比成年蛇颜色深。成批的卵可在岩石下的凹陷处、原木和树桩的腐烂木头的空洞中,以及旧锯末堆中发现;啮齿动物的洞穴也可能被蠕蛇用来筑巢。
地理分布 Distribution 蠕蛇是美国的特有物种。栖息地包括中度、有林或部分有林地区(硬木或松树),通常沿着边缘或生态区,如湿地附近或农田边缘,通常在丘陵地区,但有时在平林。它分布在康涅狄格州南部、马萨诸塞州西南部、纽约州东南部、新泽西州、宾夕法尼亚州东南部、特拉华州、马里兰州、弗吉尼亚州、西弗吉尼亚州东部、北卡罗来纳州、南卡罗来纳州、乔治亚州北部和阿拉巴马州,以及肯塔基州和田纳西州的阿巴拉契亚山脉。
▲一只白化的蠕蛇个体 蠕蛇的英文介绍 Introduction Carphophis amoenus, commonly known as the worm snake, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid endemic to the eastern United States. C. amoenus can be found east of the Mississippi, from southwest Massachusetts south to southern Alabama west to Louisiana and then north to Illinois. This species of snake protects a large range, and normally prefers a moist habitat in the rocky woodlands, under rotten wood of logs and stumps.
Though this snake is quite abundant over its range, it is rarely seen because of its dormant lifestyle and where it usually resides. This snake is most common on the edges or in the ecotonal areas of open to thick woodlands, and the borders of wetlands. It may also be found in the grasslands next to woodlands. The best chance to spot it is after heavy rains, when its small size and distinct color make it easy to spot. This species prefers moist soil inhabited by earthworms, which are its main prey, so the soil needs to be sufficiently moist. The snake's skin naturally evaporates water; so the soil needs to be moist enough to offset this. C. amoenus is mostly found under rocks and in sufficient leaf litter during the extreme daytime heat. 在神秘的大自然面前,我们无知的像个孩子......