Rough Earth Snake
Haldea striatula • Order: Squamata; Suborder: Serpentes; Family: Colubridae; Subfamily: Natricinae; Genus: Haldea; Species: Haldea striatula
Venomous Status
Non-venomous
Danger Level
Harmless; this species is completely non-aggressive and lacks any means to harm humans. They rarely, if ever, bite even when handled.
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States, from Virginia south to northern Florida, and west to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally common in its range, though habitat loss and lawn pesticides can impact local populations.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with a uniform brown, grayish-brown, or reddish-brown coloration. The head is noticeably pointed to assist in burrowing. Scales are heavily keeled, giving the snake a 'rough' texture. The belly is usually tan, cream, or yellowish and unmarked.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be an adult of approximately 7-9 inches. Typical adults range from 7 to 10 inches (18–25 cm), with a maximum recorded length of about 12.75 inches.
Habitat
Found in moist deciduous forests, pine woodlands, and suburban gardens. They are predominantly fossorial (burrowing), often found under leaf litter, logs, stones, or garden debris.
Behavior & Temperament
Highly secretive and docile. Spends most of its time underground or under cover. It may release a musk if threatened but generally remains still or tries to crawl away slowly.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized diet consisting primarily of earthworms. They use their pointed snout to find prey in soft soil and leaf litter; they do not constrict but swallow prey whole.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typically produces 3 to 8 young per litter, usually born in late summer (July to September).
Venom Profile
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) which has smooth or only weakly keeled scales and a more rounded snout, and DeKay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) which has dark spots/checkering and a prominent dark mark behind the eye.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally common in its range, though habitat loss and lawn pesticides can impact local populations.
Cultural Significance
Commonly encountered by gardeners, they are beneficial for ecosystem health as they help control invertebrate populations and serve as food for larger animals.
Notable Features
Distinguished by its sharply pointed snout and single internasal scale, which are evolutionary adaptations for a fossorial lifestyle in loose soil and detritus.
Notes
Burrows