The smallest snake native to Pennsylvania is the eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus). As adults, this snake grows up to 9 inches. Eastern worm snakes have slender bodies and resemble earth worms. The scales on eastern worm snakes are glossy and smooth. Worm snakes are fossorial snakes, meaning they spend much of their time underground; these snakes have the ability to burrow, or create new holes into the ground. Eastern worm snakes primarily live in South Central Pennsylvania, but also has populations in the eastern and western regions of the state.
Found throughout Pennsylvania, the northern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) grows up to 15 inches. Northern ringneck snakes are a subspecies of the ringneck snake and are found primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States. These snakes have bright-colored rings encircling their neck; the dorsal area of the snake's body is gray, while its underbelly is orange or red. A northern ringneck has dots running down the length of its belly. Northern ringneck snakes live in forests, grasslands and semi-aquatic habitats.
Two species of snakes represent the Storeria snake genus in Pennsylvania, the northern brown snake (Storeria dekayi dekayi) and northern red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata). Northern brown snakes grow up to 13 inches and are common throughout Pennsylvania; eastern Pennsylvania has more northern brown snakes than the western part of the state. As its name suggests, northern brown snakes have brown scales. Northern red-bellied snakes have gray or dark brown dorsals, while their bellies are bright orange, yellow or pinkish. These snakes reach lengths of 16 inches and primarily dwell in northern Pennsylvania.
Eastern smooth snakes (Virginia valeriae valeriae) and mountain earth snakes (Virginia pulchra) are the two species in Pennsylvania belonging to the Virginia genus of snakes. Both snakes grow up to approximately 1 foot when they reach maturity. The main difference between these two snakes is the texture of their scales. Smooth earth snakes have smooth scales, while mountain earth snakes possess ridged scales. Also, smooth earth snakes are only found in Southeast Pennsylvania; mountain earth snakes live in the North Central and Northwest regions of the state. Both snakes have cone-shaped heads and stout bodies. Earth snakes spend much of their time under rocks and logs.