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 Central America as far as Honduras.
Look up DeKay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous
Danger Level
Harmless; these snakes are not aggressive, have tiny teeth, and do not pose a threat to humans or pets.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN); very common and resilient to habitat fragmentation, though often killed by vehicles or mistaken for dangerous species.
Physical Description
A small, slender snake typically brown to grayish-brown. It features two rows of darker spots running down the back, often connected by a faint lighter dorsal stripe. The head is relatively small with dark markings behind the eyes and on the neck. Scales are keeled, and pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image appears to be a small adult or sub-adult, likely 6–10 inches. The species typically ranges from 9 to 13 inches (23–33 cm), with a maximum recorded length of approximately 20 inches.
Habitat
Highly adaptable; found in woodlands, marshes, and grasslands. It is perhaps best known for its success in urban and suburban environments, often found under leaf litter, logs, or debris in residential gardens.
Behavior & Temperament
Primarily fossorial or secretive; it spends much time hiding under cover. It is generally docile but may release a pungent musk from the cloaca or flatten its body to appear larger if threatened. It is active both day and night depending on temperature.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized feeder focusing on soft-bodied invertebrates, primarily earthworms, slugs, and snails. They use their specialized jaw structure to extract snails from their shells.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Mating occurs in spring, and litters of 3 to 40 young are typically born in late summer (July through September).
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which usually has a bright red underside and three light spots behind the head, and juveniles of various Garter Snake species (Thamnophis ssp.), which typically have more distinct longitudinal stripes.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN); very common and resilient to habitat fragmentation, though often killed by vehicles or mistaken for dangerous species.
Cultural Significance
Highly beneficial to gardeners as they provide natural pest control by consuming large quantities of slugs and snails that damage ornamental and food plants.
Notable Features
Often found in 'pool skimmers' (as seen in the photo) because they fall in while foraging for slugs in the damp perimeter; they are excellent examples of urban-wildlife adaptation and are frequently the most common snake found in large metropolitan areas.