Tennessee is home to two earth snake species, smooth (Virginia valeriae) and rough (Virginia striatula). The primary difference between these two snakes is the texture of their scales; rough earth snakes have ridged scales, while smooth earth snakes feature smooth scales. Both earth snakes spend most of their time underground. In Tennessee, the rough earth snake is found only in the southwestern corner of the state. Smooth snakes have a more widespread distribution in the central and eastern parts of the Volunteer State. Rough and smooth earth snakes are nonvenomous. Earthworms are the main staple on both earth snakes' diets.
Northern pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) are among the longest nonvenomous snakes in Tennessee, measuring 5 to 7 feet. These snakes receive their name from living in primarily pine woodlands. Northern pine snakes are able to develop their own underground burrows for nesting. These snakes also use underground burrows for escaping hot summer days and hibernation in the winter. Northern pines prefer digging in loose, sandy soil. In Tennessee, these snakes usually occur in the eastern region of the state.
The eastern and south-central regions of Tennessee are home to the corn snake (Elaphe guttata). Corn snakes are members of the rat snake family and primarily dine on small mammals such as rats, mice and shrews. These snakes spend most of their time in underground burrows searching for prey. Agriculturalists consider corn snakes valuable since they maintain the populations of rats, which are often viewed as crop pests. Adult corn snakes grow up to 6 feet long. These snakes have copper skin with dark red or brown splotches.
The mole king snake (Lampropeltis calligaster) lives primarily underground, similarly to the mole, a mammal which goes by the same name. Mole king snakes are nocturnal and emerge to the surface only during the early evening. Like other king snakes, the mole king snake is known for eating other snakes, including venomous species and other king snakes. These snakes are immune to snake venom. Mole king snakes also eat birds, small reptiles and rodents. These snakes lay all their eggs underground. Mole king snakes are spread throughout the Volunteer State.