Reptiles of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

NC Records
Colubridae Members:
Virginia striatula - Rough Earthsnake

Photo: Erich Hofmann

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia

Order: Serpentes

Family: Colubridae

Subfamily: Natricinae

Synonym: Haldea striatula

Other Common Name(s): Rough Earth Snake

- Rough Earthsnake


Taxonomic Comments: Virginia, as currently considered, is a genus comprised by two species of small, secretive natricid snakes endemic to the eastern and central United States. Previously, the rough earthsnake was classified as "Haldea striatula". Originally described as part of Coluber, the name Haldea was first applied to these snakes in 1853, but they have alternatively been placed in various other genera before being considered a synonym of Virginia for the better part of the past century. Molecular phylogenetic studies by McVay and Carstens (2013) and McVay et al. (2015) argued that including "Virginia striatula" in the genus Virginia rendered it paraphyletic, and therefore resurrected the genus Haldea for this species. However, recent work by Nuñez et al. (2023) challenged this change, as they did not recover the same relationships as McVay and Carstens (2013) using more extensive molecular and geographic sampling. They instead synonymized Haldea back into Virginia, based on "ecological and phenotypic similarity and phylogenetic relationship of the two sister species" (8). This change was followed by SSAR (2025), and we follow it here.
Species Comments: Virginia striatula, the Rough Earthsnake, is found primarily at lower elevations in the southeastern United States, ranging from Texas east to the Atlantic coast, and from the Florida Panhandle north to southeastern Virginia. In North Carolina, it is restricted to the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, with a few scattered records in the western Piedmont. It is absent from the mountains. No subspecies are recognized. The generic epithet Virginia is derived from the Latin virgo (virgin), perhaps in reference to the state of Virginia. The specific epithet striatula is derived from the Latin stria, meaning "furrow" or "line" and the diminutive suffix -ula, likely in reference to the species's small keeled scales. Taxonomic References: Powell et al. (1994), McVay and Carstens (2013), McVay et al. (2015); Nuñez et al. (2023).

Identification

Description: Rough Earthsnakes are small snakes with slender to moderately stout bodies and cone-shaped/pointed heads that widen to the neck. Their dorsum is a uniform gray-brown to dark brown. The venter is cream/plain white and unmarked. The top of the head is continuous with the dorsal coloration, while the labials and underside of the head are continuous with the ventral coloration. Some individuals have a distinct pale band across the top of the parietals and posterior supralabials; this is most commonly seen in juveniles and typically fades in adulthood, but some adults retain this coloration. Neonates are typically darker than adults, their parietal bands much more distinct.

Morphological Features: Rough Earthsnakes typically have 17 keeled scale rows at midbody. Ventral counts range from 112-139 (NC specimens: 115-130; Palmer and Braswell, 1995), with 26-52 (32-48) subcaudals and a divided anal plate. Head scale counts are typically as follows: 5 supralabials, 6 infralabials, 2 nasals, 1 internasal, 1 elongated loreal, 0 preoculars, 1 postocular, and 1+2 temporals. Palmer and Braswell (1995) noted some variation in scalation across multiple specimens in NC.

These are small snakes, with a maximum reported total length of 34.8 cm (13.7 inches). Tail lengths range from 14-23% of total length. Females typically reach larger size than males, have smaller average tail lengths relative to body, and average more ventral scales and fewer subcaudal scales. Males are smaller on average but with longer tails relative to body length, meaning fewer ventrals and more subcaudals. Males also possess a larger gape than females (Pisani, 2014).

Rough Earthsnakes do not possess grooved posterior teeth and lack enlarged fangs or any capacity to produce venom. They are completely harmless to humans and pets, and almost never attempt to bite. When captured, they typically writhe about, releasing musk and feces.

Technical Reference: Powell et al. (1992); Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003).

Field Guide Descriptions: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Beane et al. (2010).

Online Photos: Google iNaturalist GBIF

Observation Methods: Rough Earthsnakes may be sampled using drift fences with pitfall traps and cover objects. They may be incidentally encountered under cover objects.

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Key Habitat Requirements

Habitat: Rough Earthsnakes are most common in the Coastal Plain, where they are associated with Longleaf Pine and Wiregrass dominated flatwoods and sandhills (Beane et al., 2010). As is true for many other species whose native habitats are primarily open woodlands or forest edges, this species does well in semi-wooded suburban areas. In the Piedmont, they have been reported as most common in grassy urban lots (Palmer and Braswell, 1995)

Biotic Relationships: Earthworms are the primary food item of Rough Earthsnakes, though various other arthropods—including adult and larval beetles, ants, and termites—are also taken. Brown (1979) found only earthworms in forty snakes from North Carolina, and Clark and Fleet (1976) similarly found dietary specialization on earthworms in a population from Texas. Ernst and Ernst (2003) suggested that records of Rough Earthsnakes consuming anurans and small lizards are likely exaggerated.

Documented predators of Rough Earthsnakes are ophiophagous snakes (including racers, various Lampropeltis, cottonmouths, and coralsnakes), screech owls, armadillos, and domestic cats (Fitch et al., 1952; Gehlbach and Baldridge, 1987; Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Himes, 2004; Ernst and Ernst, 2003).

Life History and Autecology

Breeding and Courtship: Males are usually sexual mature by the time they reach body lengths of 14 cm. Females mature usually in their second year, at approximately 18 cm. Mating occurs in the spring and early summer (March to June).

Reproductive Mode: Rough Earthsnakes are viviparous; young are typically born in late summer (July and August) or early Fall after a gestation period of approximately 80 days. Litters average 6–9 neonates, though this varies with body size (Ernst and Ernst, 2003).

Neonates are approximately 7–9 cm in total length and weigh less than 0.5 g on average. The transverse white band on the head (see “Description” above) is much more distinct in neonates than in most adults.

Terrestrial Life History: Rough Earthsnakes are primarily fossorial and crepuscular/nocturnal; they are most often encountered under surface cover in the daytime and are almost chiefly terrestrial. They have been recorded in every month in North Carolina, but most activity occurs in the spring and most records are from March to June. They may hibernate underground or within rotting logs, and are commonly encountered in wooded suburban yards and gardens, often in sympatry with other small, fossorial species like DeKay’s Brown Snakes, Storeria dekayi.

Home range estimates are not known from North Carolina, but in Texas, home ranges were estimated to reach up to 100 m² (Clark and Fleet, 1976).

General Ecology

Adverse Environmental Impacts

Status in North Carolina

NHP State Rank: S5

Global Rank: G5

Photo Gallery for Virginia striatula - Rough Earthsnake		8 photos are shown.
	Recorded by: Stephanie Willis Guilford Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Stephanie Willis Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther Craven Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:

Virginia striatula - Rough Earthsnake

Photo Gallery for Virginia striatula - Rough Earthsnake

8 photos are shown.