SMOOTH EARTH SNAKE

Photo by Greg Sievert
Used by permission

Federal Status:
None

State Status:
Threatened

• Range:
  Dark Blue = Counties with designated critical habitat
  Light Blue = Historical records
• Comments: The smooth earth snake is primarily nocturnal and rarely seen above ground except after heavy rains. It spends most of its time hidden under logs and rocks in wooded hillside habitats. Earthworms are its main diet. There are no distinctive markings on this snake and its coloration is reddish-brown to gray with a white belly. There are 17 rows of smooth to slightly keeled scales. An adult smooth earth snake is usually 7-12 inches long. The female does not lay eggs, but gives birth to an average of 6-7 young. Loss of oak woodland habitat in northeast Kansas is one of the main threats to the continued existence of this snake.
• Read more about this species in The Snake's Burrow!

Other Reptiles on the Kansas T&E List