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Home > Snakes > Smooth Earth Snake

Smooth Earth Snake

Smooth earth snake is a small nonvenomous snake belonging to the Colubrid family, found in the United States. It remains buried most of its time in loose soil or leaf litter. It is not aggressive due to its lack of sufficient defense mechanisms when encountered.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Subphylum Vertebrata
    Class Reptilia
    Order Squamata
    Suborder Serpentes
    Family Colubridae
    Subfamily Natricinae
    Genus Virginia
    Scientific Name Virginia valeriae


    Length 18–25 cm (7.1–9.8 in); largest recorded specimen measures 33.7 cm
    Color Brown to gray with small black spots on the back and sides; tan to whitish belly
    Distribution Texas, Iowa, New Jersey, Florida
    Habitat Deciduous forest, timbered hillsides
    Diet Mainly earthworms and other soft-bodied arthropods
    Hibernation Fact Undergoes hibernation
    Venom Fact Nonvenomous
    Mode of Reproduction Viviparous (giving birth to live young)
    Litter Size Around 14 young
    IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

    Smooth Earth Snake Pictures Gallery

    Published on February 11th 2017 by under Snakes. Article was last reviewed on 14th June 2019.

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