Scientific Name: Virginia pulchra
Size: 7-13 inches (18-33 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern
PAHERP Resource: Have you seen me? Mountain Earth Snake

Habitat Type:
Hardwood or mixed hardwood – conifer forest in upland regions. Steep hillsides with rocky cover and second growth vegetation. Mainly found under rocks.

Colorations:
Adults:

• The dorsal background is reddish brown, brown, to grey.
• The dorsal has small black dots that form longitudinal rows that may or may not be present.
• The ventral is white to pale yellow and often times bordered with pink.
• The head coloration is the same or darken that the dorsal and becomes white to grey on the supralabials.
• The eyes are bordered with black.
• The infralabials and chin are white but may have maculation on the anterior of the chin and infralabials.

Juveniles:

• Similar to adults.

Characteristics:

• Small stout-bodied with short tail.
• The head is short and pointed and is not distinct from the body.
• The dorsal scales are slightly keeled and may appear smooth.

Scale Counts:

• 17 scale rows at midbody.
• 15 scale rows at anterior.
• 17 scale rows near the tail.
• 107-134 ventral scales
• 22-45 subcaudals scales | 2 rows of subcaudals
• 2 nasal scales
• 1 long horizonal loreal scale
• 0 preocular scales
• 2 postoculars scales
• 1 + 2 temporal scales
• 6 supralabials
• 6 infralabials
• Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

• Eastern Smooth Earth Snake
• Brown Snake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 341-343pp.

Photo Credits:

• Rex Evertt