Rough Earthsnake
Haldea striatula
A tiny, drab, keeled-scaled snake commonly hidden beneath leaf litter and garden debris across the Southeast.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 18-25 cm (7-10 in)
- Range
- Southeastern United States, from Virginia to Texas
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Overview
The Rough Earthsnake is a small, secretive colubrid common throughout the southeastern United States. Its plain coloration and small size make it easy to overlook, and it is frequently discovered accidentally when yard debris or logs are disturbed.
It is a harmless, beneficial species that helps control populations of soft-bodied invertebrates in gardens and forests alike.
How to identify it
- Small, slender body, uniform brown, gray, or reddish-brown above with little to no pattern
- Belly is pale cream to yellowish
- Keeled scales give a distinctly rough texture, hence the name
- Pointed snout and small eyes with round pupils
- Distinguished from the Smooth Earthsnake by its keeled (rather than smooth) scales and more pointed snout
Habitat & range
Common in a variety of habitats including pine and hardwood forests, and readily adapts to suburban gardens, leaf litter, and areas with loose, moist soil and abundant surface cover.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Secretive and mostly active at dusk and night or after rain, spending days hidden under logs, rocks, or mulch. Feeds primarily on earthworms and soft-bodied insects. Gives birth to live young in late summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rough Earthsnake dangerous?
No, it is harmless and too small to threaten people or pets.
How do I tell it apart from the Smooth Earthsnake?
The Rough Earthsnake has keeled scales and a more pointed snout, while the Smooth Earthsnake has smooth scales.
What does it eat?
It mainly eats earthworms along with soft-bodied insects and larvae.
Does it lay eggs?
No, it bears live young rather than laying eggs.
Rough Earthsnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Rough Earthsnake.
Rough Earthsnake identified by the community
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