[3] The specific name, kirtlandii, is in honor of Dr. Jared Potter Kirtland, an American naturalist of the nineteenth century.

[8] The ventral scales are brick red with a prominent round black spot at each outer end.

[10] Clonophis kirtlandii is currently known to occur in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, southern Michigan, northeastern Missouri, Ohio, and northwestern Tennessee.

[7] Field studies have shown that populations are found within areas with abundant grass, herbaceous vegetation, and shrubs during the spring season.

[citation needed] Kirtland's snake preys primarily on earthworms, slugs, minnows, salamanders, frogs, and toads.

[15] Kirtland's snake will also coil up into a disc the size of about a quarter in an attempt to hide from potential threats.