Virginia is a genus of small, terrestrial, colubrid snakes, native to the United States. They are commonly referred to as earth snakes.
Species There are two species assigned to this genus. However the subspecies Virginia v. pulchra is listed as the species Virginia Pulchra in some sources:
Geographic range Virginia striatula - southeastern United States, from Oklahoma and Texas to North Carolina and Florida. Virginia valeriae - eastern half of the United States, from Iowa and Texas to Pennsylvania and Florida.
Ranges overlap; it is unknown if hybridization occurs.
Description Virginia species are small snakes, ranging in size from 7-10 inches (18-26 cm) in total length. They are a brown color, with a lighter cream-colored underside. Many individuals also small black spots on their back and sides. Differentiating species can be difficult, but V. valeriae has smooth scales, whereas V. striatula has keeled scales. Females are typically longer and heavier than males, but have relatively shorter tails.
Habitat Virginia species are fossorial species found in hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods. They are most often found buried in loose soil, under rotting logs, or in leaf litter.
Behavior They eat earthworms and soft bodied arthropods. Prey is typically grasped and then swallowed alive.
References
Further reading
Baird, S.F., and C.F. Girard. 1853. Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Part I.—Serpents. Smithsonian Institution. Washington, District of Columbia. xvi + 172 pp. (Genus Virginia, p. 127.) Blanchard, F.N. 1923. The Snakes of the Genus Virginia. Papers Mich. Acad. Sci. 3: 343–365, illustrations.
External links South Carolina Reptiles & Amphibians Snakes of Georgia & South Carolina