Rough Earth Snake
Rough Earth Snake
source: commons
The rough earth snake is very benign..non-venomous, and usually around 9″ long, although some can be at a foot. These little fellas (and gals) can be found in our coastal and piedmont regions, and a bit in our foothills. They like flowerbeds and places where they can easily stay underground.
The difference between rough and smooth earthsnakes is their scales. The rough earthsnake has rough or “keeled” scales…”keeled” meaning the following:
“Keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale, making them rough to the touch.”
(source: Wikipedia)
What do they eat? Bugs, bugs and more bugs. Their primary diet is earthworms and insects..hmm..wonder if they eat voles?
Coloring is a gray or brown back with a belly of a lighter color. According to this source, some may also have a band across the back of the head.
Mating is spring and early summer, with babies arriving in July or August. The live birth usually results in 3-11 babies. Babies tend to be darker in color.
info from the following link:
Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina