Earthsnakes around Earth Day



The un-glaciated forests of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System in southern Ohio.

The southern Ohio hills of Adams County, with its large tracts of continuous forests, are the perfect place to find one of the most secretive snakes in the Eastern U.S.  Spending most of its life under the leaf litter of our forests floor, the Eastern Smooth Earthsnake Virginia valeriae valeriae, lurks slowly while searching and tasting for its primary food, earthworms.



This 200mm Eastern Smooth Earthsnake Virginia v. valeriae, was found around Earth Day of 2018.



Every April around Earth Day, I am reminded that it is time to search for these elusive snakes.  Especially since heavy rains on warm nights seem to be a perfect time for these snakes to come out of their hibernating spots to hunt worms.  Sometimes you notice earthworms exposed on the surface after heavy rainfalls, and so do Eastern Smooth Earthsnakes.  Now that it's warm and the ground is soaking,  this is a perfect time of year to go on a snake hunt.  But even though the conditions are favorable most people have never seen, nor will ever see, this snake. 



Eastern Smooth Earthsnake's are non-descript snakes that hide under debris, rarely venturing out in the open.



Earthsnakes have only been found in 12 of Ohio’s unglaciated counties: Adams, Athens, Clermont (1 record), Jackson, Pike, Scioto, Lawrence, Muskingum, (1 record), Ross, Hocking, Vinton and Gallia.  Many of these counties have very few records of the snake making this one of the least encountered snakes in the state. The lack of encounters are due to its secretive habits.  Earthsnakes could be incredibly common in the unglaciated forests of Ohio, but it’s simply just not that easy to find.  Its small size and lack of colorful markings already make it hard to detect, not to mention it prefers to be hidden under debris.  In fact, I have never found one of these snakes unless it was under some sort of cover.  And in most cases under coverboards that I have intentionally left out to survey reptiles.

This coverboard (roofing tin) used to survey reptiles in the forest produced an Earthsnake.

This snake can be grey or brownish dorsally with no markings, except possible pairs of faint dark specks running down its back.  The back color fades gradually into a pale color on the belly. It rarely reaches more than 11 inches in total length.



Notice the white chin and black longitudinal dots running down the back of this Eastern Smooth Earthsnake.

The Eastern Wormsnake Carphophis amoenus, is a similar species which also fits this profile but they have a distinct coloration change on the sides of their body between their brown back and pinkish belly, and lack any black dots on their backs.  The wormsnake's eyes appear tiny on its small head.  Every other small snake in Ohio forests have some color or markings on them that gives away their identification.

Do not confuse with the Eastern Wormsnake, notice the drastic color change between the back and belly of the snake and no black spots.

Little is known about the life history of these snakes since so few are found in Ohio (fewer than 100 Ohio records in museums).  In most states they breed in late spring/early summer and give live birth in late summer.  Since they are live birthers (viviparous), you won’t encounter eggs like some other snakes.  Knowing exactly when a female gives birth is difficult and coming across new born (neonate) Earthsnakes could prove even more onerous.



The Eastern Smooth Earthsnake spends so much of its life underground that very little is known about its habits.





Rare photo of an Earthsnake feeding on Lumbricus rubellus. Earthworms are their primary diet.

Researching this snake in captivity is difficult as it has a tendency to burrow, remaining hidden and rarely eating.  But this spring I was lucky enough to observe an Earthsnake bite, hold, then swallow a large earthworm. 
Earthsnakes are harmless to people and most other animals--except earthworms, or soft-bodied arthropods which they can eat.  It will rarely attempt to bite, if at all, and is not known for leaving a musk smell on your hands after handling. 

10 year old Lexi fearlessly holds an Earthsnake while it coils into a pretzel shape.  This is the snake's average size.

Many Earthsnakes I have encountered freeze in place to remain undetected.  It seems they stay rigid and motionless to appear lifeless like a stick or a root.  This video, although shaky and blurry (apologies if you get sea sick), showcases an Earthsnake's reluctance to move while I harass it, relying on crypsis rather than retreat.

Earth Day seems to be a time when folks try to get outside and enjoy their natural surroundings.  As you are out this spring keep an eye on the forest floor for this small snake.  It may be coiled like a pretzel under some leaves, or under a piece of debris.  It would be nice to increase the amount of photo records for this snake and expand its range in the state. These snakes are surely way more common than Ohio’s herpetologists are aware.  The best way to find them is to place a piece of roofing tin, metal, or wood on the edge of the forest and check underneath it on warm days.  If you find what appears to be an Eastern Smooth Earthsnake in Ohio, take a picture and send it me at mzloba@cincymuseum.org.

Posted by: Mark Zloba