Rough Earthsnake
Haldea striatula
Summary 5
Haldea striatula (formerly Virginia striatula), commonly called the rough earth snake, is a species of nonvenomous natricine colubrid snake native to the southeastern United States.
Description 6
NOT venomous. Small head is slightly wider than neck, glossy keeled scales, round pupils. Body is olive brown with a light tan underside. Typically 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25cm) in length. (J. R. Dixon and J. E. Werler, Texas Snakes: A Field Guide, University of Texas Press, 2000.)
Behavior 7
The rough earth snake is generally not aggressive towards humans, is not venomous, and is harmless if encountered. Although it has teeth, the rough earth snake normally does not bite. Its response when harassed is to remain motionless, or to try to escape. It will defecate and excrete a foul smelling musk as a defense mechanism to make itself less palatable to would-be predators. If necessary, the rough earth snake can be safely picked up by hand and relocated.
Common names 7
Other common names for Haldea striatula include: brown ground snake, brown snake, ground snake, little brown snake, little striped snake, small brown viper, small-eyed brown snake, southern ground snake, striated viper, and worm snake.
Habitat 7
The rough earth snake is fossorial, hiding beneath logs, rocks, or ornamental stones, in leaf litter, or in compost piles and gardens. The species is found in a variety of forested habitats with plenty of ground cover, as well as in many urban areas. It can reach very high densities in urban gardens, parks, and vacant lots.
Geographic range 7
The rough earth snake is found from southern Virginia to northern Florida, west along the Gulf Coast to southern Texas, and north into south-central Missouri and southeastern Kansas.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Zack, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/87418376@N00/168078340
- (c) Cullen Hanks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Cullen Hanks
- (c) Heidi Hellstern, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Heidi Hellstern
- (c) Chris Harrison, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Harrison
- Adapted by Desmon M Dunn from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldea_striatula
- (c) Amber Leung, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/494762
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldea_striatula
