6/28/2023 0 Comments Planet earth snake escapeThe rough earth snake is fossorial, hiding beneath logs, rocks, or ornamental stones, in leaf litter, or in compost piles and gardens. 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. The pointed snout of the rough earth snake helps in burrowing in moist soil where prey are found. striatula is not venomous and does not constrict prey rather, it swallows prey without subduing it. It feeds almost exclusively on earthworms, although slugs, snails, sow bugs, insect eggs and larvae have also been found in the stomach. If necessary, the rough earth snake can be safely picked up by hand and relocated. It will defecate and excrete a stinky musk as a defense mechanism to make itself less palatable to would-be predators. Its response when harassed is to remain motionless, or to try to escape. Although it has teeth, the rough earth snake normally does not bite. The rough earth snake is generally not aggressive towards humans, is not venomous, and is harmless if encountered. Unlike the rough earth snake, De Kay's brown snake retains these markings into adulthood. striatula is most likely to be confused with De Kay's brown snake ( Storeria dekayi), which is a little larger and is light brown with dark markings on the back and neck. Keeled scales differentiate the rough earth snake from the similar smooth earth snake ( Virginia valeriae), as well as from the wormsnake. The belly is tan to whitish and is not sharply defined in color from the back, unlike in the wormsnake ( Carphophis amoenus) or the red-bellied snake ( Storeria occipitomaculata). Young individuals often have a light band on the neck, which is normally lost as they mature. Females are a little longer and heavier than males, with relatively shorter tails. Dorsally, it is brown, gray, or reddish, and essentially has no pattern. It has a round pupil, weakly keeled dorsal scales, and usually a divided anal plate. striatula is a small, harmless, secretive, fairly slender snake, 7-10 inches (18–25 cm) in total length (including tail). 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. 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.
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