Smooth Earthsnake
(Virginia valeriae)

Description: This small and slender brown or grayish snake has smooth scales, an unmarked light brown to pale belly, and a small head. Many individuals may have light black flecks on the back and sides. Adults average in size from 7-10 inches (18-25cm).

Natural History: These snakes are found in a variety of woodland habitats and on forest edges. They are fossorial and live most of their lives underground and under forest floor debris. Encounters are most common when flipping logs or other ground cover. They mostly consume soft bodied invertebrates such as Earth Worms.

Similar Species: This snake has smooth scales which helps distinguish it from the similar Rough Earth Snake (Haldea striatula). The pale to tan belly pattern is not sharply defined as it is on the similar looking Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus) and Red-bellied Snake (Storia occipitomaculata).

Distribution: This snake has an irregular distribution throughout the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. It is found from Pennsylvania to North Florida, and then west to Central Texas.

Contributed by Jake Zadik (2/24/2020)