Northern Brown Snake

Storeria dekayi dekayi

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

Adult at 10 to 16 inches in length. Brown to gray above with 2 rows of black spots, and white 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. The diet of this species consists primarily of earthworms but slugs are also often eaten.

 

Unique Features:

Brown to gray above with 2 rows of black spots, and white below. The 5 subspecies of southeastern brown snakes are very difficult to differentiate. Use range maps.

 

Habitat and Diet:

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:

GA, SC, AL, NC, VA, WV, RI, NY, NH, VT, CT, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, OH, PA