Mountain Earthsnake Virginia valeriae (Baird and Girard, 1853) pulchra (Richmond, 1954)Endangered (MD)  -  S1S2 (Highly state rare)  -  Vulnerable    
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Reptilia   >   Order Squamata   >   Family Colubridae   >   Genus Virginia   

Status:

This is the less common, range-restricted subspecies of Virginia valeriae, hailing from higher elevations of the Appalachians of West Virginia north to Pennsylvania. Like the more widespread nominate subspecies, Eastern Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia v. valeriae), this serpent is quite secretive and difficult to observe, normally remaining hidden under rocks or logs, or underground, where it feeds mostly on earthworms. It is most likely to be seen after persistent heavy rains (Tennant, 2003). In Maryland, this snake occurs in Garrett County, where it is rarely seen. This species is ranked as S1-S2, and is considered state-endangered and vulnerable (Maryland DNR site).

There are 11 records in the project database.

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Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Mountain Earth Snake found at high elevation in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/12/2011). This individual had fewer warm, reddish tones than another found at the end of May. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Justin Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Justin Lee via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Mike Mosser, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Mike Mosser via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Mountain Earthsnake in Garrett Co., Maryland (8/24/2019). Photo by Aaron Coolman. (MBP list)


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