*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: Only the Western Smooth Earthsnake, Virginia valeriae elegans, occurs within Louisiana.
Description:
Similar Species:
Species Range:
Louisiana Range: The Florida Parishes and parts of central and northern Louisiana, but absent from the Mississippi River floodplain.
Habitat:
Natural History:
Best Time and Place to Observe:
Global Conservation Status: Smooth Earthsnakes are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None
Louisiana Conservation Status: Smooth Earthsnakes do not have any special status in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have observed this species only twice in Louisiana. I found the snake while working in my mother-in-law's garden in St. Tammany Parish in 2010. In 2017 a group of us found a few at a site in St. Tammany Parish.
