Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: occipitomaculata
Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs and venom glands.
Danger Level
Harmless; they pose no threat to humans or pets. They are extremely unlikely to bite even when handled.
Geographic Range
Widespread across North America, from eastern Canada (Saskatchewan to the Maritimes) throughout the eastern and central United States, as far south as Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally abundant, though local populations can be affected by habitat loss and pesticide use affecting their prey.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with keeled scales. Dorsal color is typically brown or grayish with a faint pale mid-dorsal stripe. Distinguishing features include three light spots on the nape of the neck (occipital spots) and a distinctive bright red or orange underside. The head is relatively small and can be darker than the body.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be an adult, approximately 20-30 cm in length. The typical adult size range is 20-40 cm (8-16 inches).
Habitat
Commonly found in moist woodland edges, forest floors, meadows, and gardens. They are highly fossorial and secretive, often found under logs, rocks, leaf litter, or debris at elevations from sea level to over 1,500 meters.
Behavior & Temperament
Secretive and docile. When threatened, they may curl their upper lips (lip-curling behavior), flatten their bodies, or musk. They are primarily diurnal but can be crepuscular in hot weather.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized feeder primarily consuming slugs and snails, which they extract from shells using their teeth and labial scales. Occasionally eats earthworms and beetle larvae.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Litter sizes typically range from 4 to 15 neonates, usually born in late summer (August or September).
Venom Profile
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi), which lacks the red belly and neck spots, and the Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), which is larger with prominent longitudinal stripes.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally abundant, though local populations can be affected by habitat loss and pesticide use affecting their prey.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically beneficial to gardeners as they provide natural pest control for slugs and snails. They serve as an important food source for larger predators like birds and larger snakes.
Notable Features
Features a unique 'lip-curling' defensive display that may expose their small teeth. Their vibrant red venter is a form of aposematic coloration intended to startle predators when the snake flips over.