Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae)

These small snakes are harmless to humans and are probably statewide in the North Carolina. They are secretive, inhabiting moist woods & fields, feed on worms, insects, gastropods, and they spend much of their time underground.

	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Orange Co., NC 31 Mar 2007
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Orange Co., NC 31 Mar 2007
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Orange Co., NC 31 Mar 2007

	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013 Smooth Earth Snakes often curl up and bury their heads.
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013 Undersides are usually off-white, although this one has a slightly pinkish cast.

	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013 Herpetologist Jeff Beane notes that Smooth Earth Snake scales may be weakly keeled, as seen here, and that Rough Earth Snakes almost never show the scattered black dots that many Smooth Earth Snakes (like this one) show.
	Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) Durham Co., NC 9 May 2013 Undersides are usually off-white.

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Created on ... March 31, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com