DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Widely distributed across North America, from southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec) through the eastern half of the United States, and south into Mexico and parts of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras).
Look up DeKay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). They are abundant and resilient to urban development, though they are frequently killed by vehicle traffic and domestic pets.
Physical Description
Small, slender-bodied snake typically brown, tan, or grayish-brown. It features a light mid-dorsal stripe bordered by two rows of small dark spots. The head is usually darker than the body with dark temporal patches. Scales are keeled (rough to the touch) and the pupil is round.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the photograph appears to be an adult, approximately 9 to 12 inches (23-30 cm) in length. The species typically ranges from 9 to 13 inches, with a maximum record of about 20 inches.
Habitat
Generalist species found in forests, grasslands, and marshes. They are highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes, often found in residential gardens, parks, and vacant city lots. They prefer microhabitats under debris, rocks, or logs.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized carnivore primarily feeding on soft-bodied invertebrates like earthworms, slugs, and snails. They use their specialized teeth to extract snails from their shells.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Mating occurs in spring, and females typically give birth to 3 to 40 young in late summer or early autumn.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which has a bright red venter, or Garter Snakes (Thamnophis ssp.), which are generally larger with more distinct longitudinal stripping.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). They are abundant and resilient to urban development, though they are frequently killed by vehicle traffic and domestic pets.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically beneficial in gardens as they provide natural pest control for slugs and snails. They are one of the most common snakes encountered by people in urban settings within their range.
Notable Features
Highly adapted to urban environments, often surviving in small fragments of greenspace where other snake species have been extirpated. Their ability to thrive in close proximity to humans makes them an important 'gateway' species for ecological education.