Tantilla melanocephala, commonly known as the black-headed snake or neotropical black-headed snake, is a species of small colubrid snake endemic to Central America and South America.

In Central America it is found from Guatemala south to Panama.

[4] Tantilla melanocephala may attain a total length of 50 cm (20 in), which includes a tail 10 cm (3.9 in) long.

The top of the head and neck are black or dark brown.

[2] The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and arranged in 15 rows at midbody.