Barry Mansell photo.

Scientific name: Virginia striatula

Description: Average adult size is 7-10 inches (18-25.4 cm). The record is 12.75 inches (32.4 cm). A small glossy brown or gray brown snake with a light yellow or cream belly. The head is small with a distinctly pointed snout. A faint light ring may be present around the neck. There are 17 dorsal scale rows at midbody, and the scales are keeled. The pupils are round. Juveniles are darker than adults and have a white to light gray ring around the neck.

Rough earth snake: Left to right: Top of the head (notice the large plate-like scales on the top of the head);
underside of the head (chin and throat).

Rough earth snake: Left to right: Side of the head; front (face view) of the head.

Range: This species occurs in the western half of the panhandle and in northern peninsular Florida. Outside the state it ranges north to Virginia in the east and to Missouri in the west, and west to Texas, Oklahoma, and southeastern Kansas. It is absent from most of the Mississippi River floodplain.

Habitat: Found under leaf litter and just below the soil surface in drier hammocks and pine flatwoods.

Comments: . Feeds almost exclusively on earthworms, though ant larvae may also be taken. Its pointed snout facilitates burrowing in the moist soil where its prey is found. Can be found under flat debris such as boards and old sheet metal roofing. The rough earth snake bears live young. Litters of 3-8 young are born in summer. They are 3-4.5 inches (7.6-11 cm) at birth.

Comparison with other species: The smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae) has smooth scales and a less pointed snout. The pine woods snake (Rhadinaea flavilata) has smooth scales and a whitish upper lip. The southern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus) has smooth scales and is grayish-black with a distinct neck ring and a yellow-orange belly. The brown snakes (Storeria dekayi) have spots or flecking on the back and sides.

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