# Rough Earthsnake (*Virginia striatula*) The Rough Earthsnake is a small, friendly snake that loves to hide in the grass and under leaves. It has a smooth, brownish body and can be found slithering around in gardens and forests. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Rough Earthsnake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Roughearthsnakesmall.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patricia Crane, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roughearthsnakesmall.jpg) ## Appearance The Rough Earthsnake is a small, slender reptile, typically grey, brown, or reddish-brown with a pale belly. Its keeled scales give it a distinctive rough texture, differentiating it from smoother-scaled species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Haldea ## Interesting facts - Rough Earthsnakes lay their eggs underground, keeping them safe and warm from harm! - These tiny snakes help gardens by eating pests like slugs and insect larvae! - They are completely harmless to humans, preferring to hide rather than bite! - When scared, they "play dead" by flipping over and staying perfectly still! ## Special abilities - **Rough Rider Skin:** Rough Earthsnake has keeled scales that give it a rough texture, helping it grip soil and move through burrows. - **Underground Navigator:** Rough Earthsnake can burrow into soft soil using its pointed snout, helping it find food and shelter. - **Camouflage Cloak:** Rough Earthsnake has dull, earthy colors that help it blend perfectly with leaf litter and soil, hiding it from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-10 - **Incubation:** 40-60 days ## Diet & Feeding These small snakes love to snack on soft-bodied invertebrates found in moist soil and leaf litter. - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, slugs, snails, insect larvae, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Gartersnake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Larger snakes like gartersnakes may prey on these small reptiles. - **Eaten by:** Black Racer (*Coluber constrictor*) — Fast-moving racers will actively hunt and consume smaller snakes. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opportunistic mammals like opossums may eat them if encountered. - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Earthsnakes primarily feed on soft-bodied invertebrates like earthworms. - **Hunts:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — They actively forage for slugs and their eggs in moist leaf litter. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rough Earthsnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Rough Earthsnake? 18-30 cm ### How much does Rough Earthsnake weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Rough Earthsnake live? 5-7 years ### How fast can Rough Earthsnake move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Rough Earthsnake eat? These small snakes love to snack on soft-bodied invertebrates found in moist soil and leaf litter. ### Where is Rough Earthsnake usually found? Forests ### How does Rough Earthsnake hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Dealey Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dealey-plaza) — Texas, US · Historic District - [East Home Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-home-avenue-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Honor Heights Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/honor-heights-park) — Oklahoma, US · Botanical Garden - [Hood County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hood-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Milledgeville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/milledgeville-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Petersburg Old Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/petersburg-old-town-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Rough Earthsnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rough-earthsnake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Rough Earthsnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rough-earthsnake)