Smooth Earthsnake
Virginia valeriae
The smooth earthsnake can be described as being heavy-bodied and it ranges from 7 to 10 inches. It has a record length of 14 inches. It is brown or gray from head to tail…
How to identify
The smooth earthsnake can be described as being heavy-bodied and it ranges from 7 to 10 inches. It has a record length of 14 inches. It is brown or gray from head to tail with a pointed snout and smooth scales. The adults usually have black spots on the back and sides. The dorsal is whitish to tan and not easily distinguishable from the sides.
Range
The smooth earthsnake is usually found from Central to South Eastern United States. Ranging from Texas and Iowa down to New Jersey and Florida.
Variations
The western earthsnake or Virginia valeriae elegan has 17 rows of dorsal scales and is found around southern Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico and central Texas. The mountain earthsnake or Virginia valeriae pulchra has weakly keeled dorsal scales and dwells in the mountains of western Maryland, North-Eastern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. The eastern earthsnake or Virginia valeriae valeriae has 15 rows of dorsal scales and can be found in northern Alabama through Southern Ohio and east to New Jersey to Georgia.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Valeriae: Honoring Valery Blaney.
At a glance
Range
The smooth earthsnake is usually found from Central to South Eastern United States. Ranging from Texas and Iowa down to New J…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap