DeKay's Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi
A small, common brown snake often found in gardens and urban lots, marked by a faint pale stripe bordered by dark spots.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 23-33 cm (9-13 in)
- Range
- Eastern and central North America
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Overview
DeKay's Brown Snake is a small, secretive, and highly adaptable species found across much of eastern and central North America, including many urban and suburban settings. It is one of the most commonly encountered small snakes in gardens, parks, and vacant lots.
Its small size and cryptic coloration mean it is often overlooked or found under debris rather than seen moving in the open.
How to identify it
- Small, slender body, light brown, tan, or grayish overall
- Faint pale, sometimes indistinct dorsal stripe bordered by a row of small dark spots on each side
- Keeled scales
- Round pupils
- Small head barely distinct from the neck
Habitat & range
Highly adaptable, found in woodlands, meadows, gardens, vacant lots, and urban green spaces throughout eastern and central North America.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Secretive and mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, often found under logs, rocks, or debris during the day. Feeds mainly on earthworms and slugs. Bears live young.
Frequently asked questions
Is DeKay's Brown Snake venomous?
No, it is completely non-venomous and harmless.
Where might I find one?
Under logs, rocks, or debris in gardens, vacant lots, and other urban or suburban green spaces.
What does it eat?
Mostly earthworms and slugs, which it hunts in moist soil and leaf litter.
DeKay's Brown Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding DeKay's Brown Snake.
