My best guess is common sharp-tailed snake, Contia tenuis, but the tail doesn't look quite right. I've never seen one coil up like this one and it appears too thin. The tail looks more like that of a ring-necked snake, but I would expect to see some evidence of a pale ring on the neck even on a melanistic ring-necked snake, and there should spots on the belly instead of bars, which indicate sharp-tail.
I have ruled out night snake because of the horizontal pupils and the black-headed snake should not be found in San Jose, though it is found nearby.
Any ideas?


