May 2007 - Volume 68, Issue 5
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Tiny Snakes continued...
Flat-headed Snake
Tantilla gracilis
Length: 7 to 8 inches
Missouri’s smallest snake, the flat-headed snake can be tan, graybrown or reddish-brown. It lacks distinct markings, but its head is usually darker than the rest of its body, and it has a striking salmon-pink belly.
The snake’s smooth skin, small, flattened head and slender body allow it to move easily through the soil. This tiny snake eats scorpions, centipedes, spiders and soft-bodied insects. This species is equipped with slightly enlarged, grooved teeth at the back of the mouth. These are probably used to deliver venom that subdues prey.
Flat-headed snakes do not have the ability to bite a person when captured or handled and are not harmful to humans of any age.
Flat-headed snakes occur in the southern half of Missouri, except for the southeastern corner. This species can be found on dry, open, rocky hillsides, where they often burrow under rocks. Females lay from one to four eggs that hatch in late summer.
Rough Earth Snake
Virginia striatula
Length: 7 to 10 inches
Similar in appearance to the western earth snake, the rough earth snake’s name refers to a faint ridge or keel on each scale along the back and sides.
These snakes are gray, brown or reddish-brown with a lack of markings. Their belly is unmarked and cream-colored.
These snakes are found in the southern half of the state, except for the southeastern corner. They prefer rocky, open, wooded hillsides where they take shelter under flat rocks. Rough earth snakes mainly eat earthworms. They give birth in late summer to litters of two to nine young.
Western Earth Snake
Virginia valeriae elegans
Length: 7 to 10 inches
Similar in appearance to the rough earth snake, this small, slender snake has smooth scales and no distinct markings. Scales along the back and sides lack the ridge or keel of rough earth snakes.
Western earth snakes are generally gray to light brown or reddish-brown. A faint, light tan strip is usually found along the back. Their belly is plain white or cream-colored with no markings.
This species can be found primarily
in the southern half of the state and
in a few scattered locations in northcentral
Missouri. They frequently
inhabit rocky, hilly woodlands where
they hide under rocks and logs or in
leaf litter. Earthworms and slugs are
their main prey. They produce from
two to 14 young during late summer. 
About This Article
Author and Photographer
TOM R. JOHNSON retired as state herpetologist
with the department of Conservation in 2000.
He grew up in Wisconsin, earned his biology
degree from the University of Wisconsin—Stevens
Point in 1970, and came to the department
after seven years in the zoo field. tom is the author
of The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri.
He now lives on a small farm in the Ozarks.
