 It is possible that black-crowned snakes, some of which are themselves small, burrowing snakes endemic to Florida, comprise the entire diet of wild short-tailed snakes.Found only in a handful of counties in central Florida, the short-tailed snake prefers sandy-soiled, pine or oak woodlands but may be found in other habitats provided it has access to prey and suitable soil for burrowing.As a member of the tribe Lampropeltini, "L. extenuata" is ultimately derived from Old World rat snakes that crossed the Bering Land Bridge into North America more than 20 million years ago.