NON-VENOMOUS

Other common names

Rough Earth Snake

Basic description

Most adult Rough Earthsnakes are about 7-10 inches (18-26 cm) in total length. These are small glossy brown or grayish-brown snakes with a light yellow or cream-colored belly. The head is small with a distinctly pointed snout. A faint light ring may be present around the neck. Juveniles are darker than adults and have a white to light gray ring around the neck.

brown snake coiled on a log
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson/iNaturalist

Range

Rough Earthsnakes occur in the western half of the Panhandle and in the northern peninsula south to Alachua County.

Assessment of risk to people and pets

Non-venomous. Rough Earthsnakes are not dangerous to people or pets.

Comparison with other species

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctata) Non-venomous Southern Ring-necked Snakes have smooth scales and they are grayish-black with a distinct neck ring and a yellow-orange belly.

two images side by side - Image 1: Ring-necked snake black snake coiled to show orange belly. Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Ring-necked Snake showing belly pattern. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Pine Woods Littersnake (Rhadinaea flavilata) Non-venomous Pine Woods Littersnakes are reddish-brown in color and have smooth scales and a whitish upper lip.

two images side by side - Image 1: Pine woods littersnake. orange brown snake Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Pine woods snake. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson.
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Non-venomous Red-bellied Snakes have a light spot under the eye, a light band across the back of neck, small spots on the back, and sometimes a red belly.

two images side by side - Image 1: Red-bellied Snake. small orange snake with brown stripes Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Florida Brownsnake (Storeria victa) Non-venomous Florida Brownsnakes have spots or flecking on the back and sides.

two images side by side - Image 1: Florida Brownsnake. small brown snake with tan under neck Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Non-venomous Southeastern Crowned Snakes have smooth scales and a black head and neck.

two images side by side - Image 1: Southeastern Crowned Snake. small brown snake with pale yellow ring around neck Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Southeastern Crowned Snake. Photo courtesy of jeffweinell/iNaturalist
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Florida Crowned Snake (Tantilla relicta) Non-venomous Florida Crowned Snakes have smooth scales and a black head and neck.

two images side by side - Image 1: Florida Crowned Snake, small pink snake with brown head Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Florida Crowned Snake, subspecies T. r. relicta. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson.
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae) Non-venomous Smooth Earthsnakes have smooth scales and the snout is less pointed.

two images side by side - Image 1: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines Image 2: Rough Earthsnake. brown snake coiled on a log
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson

Share your observations

You can help scientists better understand the biology and distribution of this species by sharing your observations. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist.

Additional helpful information

Do you have snakes around your house? Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes.

Still have questions about snakes or identifications? Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile.

Banner photo courtesy J.D. Wilson/iNaturalist/CC-BY-NC-4.0  Please credit all photographers and see our copyright policy.