Description

The Rough Earthsnake is a relatively common, but secretive fossorial snake. They range throughout Mississippi (Behler & King, 1979). These snakes are brown or tan or reddish, with keeled scales (Powell et al., 2016; Behler & King, 1979). Belly is plain cream or yellowish. Much of these snakes’ lives are spent underground foraging on earth worms or other invertebrates. They may be locally abundant but rarely seen outside of cover such as logs or pieces of wood. Rough earth snakes often have a slightly darker coloration and rough (keeled) scales.

Identifying Traits

• Brown, reddish, or gray with pointed south and keeled scales
• Keeled scales (differentiates from Smooth Earthsnake)

Habitat

Forests and grasslands

Behavior

Fossorial, often active and foraging underground or beneath cover

Diet

Various invertebrates