NON-VENOMOUS

Other common names

Smooth Earth Snake, Eastern Smooth Earthsnake

Basic description

Most adult Smooth Earthsnakes are about 7-10 inches (18-26 cm) in total length. These are small glossy brown or reddish brown snakes. They may have tiny dark flecks on back that are either scattered or loosely arranged in rows. The head is small with a pointed snout. Juveniles are darker than adults.

gray snake with light lines
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

Range in Florida

Smooth Earthsnakes occur throughout the Panhandle and east to Alachua County. An isolated population occurs in Highlands County along the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida.

Assessment of risk to people and pets

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

Comparison with other species

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctata) Non-venomous Southern Ring-necked Snakes 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: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Ring-necked snake showing belly pattern. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

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

two images side by side - Image 1: Pine woods snake - orange brown snake. Image 2: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Pine woods snake. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson.
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Non-venomous Red-bellied Ssnakes have keeled scales, 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: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist]

Florida Brownsnake (Storeria victa) Non-venomous Florida Brownsnakes have keeled scales, 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: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) Non-venomous Southeastern Crowned Snakes have 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: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Southeastern Crowned Snake. Photo courtesy of jeffweinell/iNaturalist
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

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

two images side by side - Image 1: Florida Crowned Snake, small pink snake with brown head. Image 2: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Florida Crowned Snake, subspecies T. r. relicta. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson.
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

Rough Earthsnake (Haldea striatula) Non-venomous Rough Earthsnakes have keeled scales and the snout is more pointed.

two images side by side - Image 1: Florida Cottonmouth coiled with head raised. Image 2: Smooth Earthsnake. gray snake with light lines
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist

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 cassiethegardener/iNaturalist/CC-BY 4.0. Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy.