Dekay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Venomous Status
Non-venomous (Aglyphous)
Danger Level
Harmless. These snakes represent no threat to humans or pets. They are very reluctant to bite, usually preferring to musk or flatten their bodies when threatened.
Geographic Range
Extensive range across North America, from southern Canada (Ontario and Quebec) through the eastern half of the United States, extending south into Mexico and Central America as far as Honduras.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is highly abundant and tolerant of human-altered landscapes, though they are often killed by domestic cats or mistaken for dangerous species.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with a base color of tan, gray, or brown. Two rows of dark spots run down the back, often connected by a lighter central dorsal stripe. The head often features dark markings or a 'collar' behind the eyes. Scales are keeled (rough), and the pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image is a small juvenile or sub-adult, likely under 6 inches. Adults typically range between 9 to 13 inches (23–33 cm), rarely exceeding 16 inches.
Habitat
Highly adaptable generalist found in forests, grasslands, and wetlands. They are particularly common in disturbed urban and suburban areas, often found in gardens under mulch, leaf litter, rocks, or debris. Found from sea level to over 1400 meters.
Behavior & Temperament
Secretive, fossorial (burrowing), and primarily crepuscular or nocturnal. When confronted, they may flatten their bodies to appear larger and release a foul-smelling musk from the cloaca, but they almost never bite humans.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized diet consisting primarily of soft-bodied invertebrates like earthworms, slugs, and snails. They possess specialized teeth and jaw structures to extract snails from their shells.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typically produces a litter of 3 to 20 neonates in late summer. Mating occurs in spring shortly after emerging from hibernation.
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 Garter Snake (Thamnophis ssp.), though Garter snakes are larger and have distinct side stripes. Also confused with Red-bellied Snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata), which usually have three pale spots around the neck and a bright red venter.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is highly abundant and tolerant of human-altered landscapes, though they are often killed by domestic cats or mistaken for dangerous species.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically vital for controlling garden pest populations like slugs and snails. They are one of the most common snakes encountered by people in urban environments due to their resilience to development.
Notable Features
Features a highly specialized skull anatomy that allows them to grip the bodies of snails and pull them out of their shells, a rare dietary specialization among snakes.