[3][4][5] It lives in mostly moist pockets in mostly arid or semiarid environments and spends much of its life underground.

It is brown, slender, olive-gray, with a black head bordered by a white collar.

The western black-headed snake is the sister species of Tantilla yaquia of southern Arizona.

They prey on arthropods, particularly centipedes and beetle larvae, as well as spiders, insects, slugs, and earthworms.

They are highly secretive and rarely seen, spending much time under objects, especially during daytime.