Rough Earth Snake
Haldea striatula • Order: Squamata; Suborder: Serpentes; Family: Colubridae; Subfamily: Natricinae; Genus: Haldea; Species: Haldea striatula
Found throughout the Southeastern United States, ranging from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.
Look up Rough Earth Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs or specialized delivery systems.
Danger Level
Harmless; they pose no threat to humans or pets and rarely bite even when handled.
Family
Order: Squamata; Suborder: Serpentes; Family: Colubridae; Subfamily: Natricinae; Genus: Haldea; Species: Haldea striatula
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally common, though susceptible to habitat loss and pesticide use that reduces earthworm populations.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with a uniform brown, grayish-brown, or reddish-brown dorsal color and a light-colored underside. The head is small and pointed, optimized for burrowing. Scales are distinctly keeled, and they typically have a single internasal scale.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen appears to be an adult around 7-9 inches. Species range is typically 7 to 10 inches (18–25 cm), with a record maximum of 12.75 inches.
Habitat
Primarily fossorial and secretive; found in deciduous forests, pine woodlands, and suburban gardens. They prefer moist soil under leaf litter, logs, stones, or garden debris.
Behavior & Temperament
Extremely docile and secretive. They spend most of their time underground or under cover. When uncovered, they may try to crawl away or remain motionless to blend with leaf litter. They do not have a defensive display other than occasionally musk distribution.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized invertivore; feeds almost exclusively on earthworms. They use active foraging in moist soil or under debris to locate prey.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Breeding occurs in spring, and females typically give birth to 3 to 8 young in late summer (August-September).
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) which has smooth scales and two internasals; DeKay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) which has dark spots/stripes on the back and a patterned head.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally common, though susceptible to habitat loss and pesticide use that reduces earthworm populations.
Cultural Significance
Commonly encountered by gardeners, they provide ecological benefit as natural pest control and are often referred to as 'garden snakes' by the general public.
Notable Features
Features a single internasal scale (most snakes have two) and a very pointed snout which are evolutionary adaptations for a fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle.