[4] C. longicaudae is found in northern California and southern Oregon.

The forest sharp-tailed snake went unnoticed for a long time due to its vast similarities to C. tenuis, the secretive nature of both species of sharp-tailed snakes, and their seasonally limited amount of activity.

[3] The easiest way to set the two species apart is by looking at the tail length and the subcaudal scales.

The forest sharp-tailed snake has a longer tail than Contia tenuis and more subcaudal scales.

Specifically, the forest sharp-tailed snake has 43 to 58 subcaudal scales, whereas Contia tenuis has 24 to 42.