Midland Brown Snake

Storeria dekay wrightorum

Alternate Name(s):

Dekay's Brown Snake

 

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

Adult at 10 to 16 inches in length. Brown to gray above with 2 rows of black spots, most pairs connected by a thin black bar. Cream to yellowish below. The Dorsal area between the black spots is often a bit lighter in color than the sides. There may be a light collar and there is a vertical black stripe behind each eye. This snake may flatten the body and head and form an S or a loose coil when frightened. Use range when attempting subspecies differentiation. Broad areas of intergradation occur where subspecies about. Scales keeled and in 17 rows. Ovoviviparous. Neonates very dark with white collar.

 

Unique Features:

Brown to gray above with 2 rows of black spots, most pairs connected by a thin black bar. Use range when attempting subspecies differentiation.

 

Habitat and Diet:

Secretive. This is a small, totally innocuous, backyard, field, and woodland snake. The diet of this species consists primarily of earthworms but slugs are also often eaten.

 

Geographic Range:

FL, GA, AL, TN, KY, VA, AR, IL, IN, LA, MS, ID, MO, IA, OH, WI,