Dekay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Widely distributed throughout North America, ranging from southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec) down through the eastern and central United States, and extending into Mexico and parts of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras).
Look up Dekay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (aglyphous teeth)
Danger Level
Harmless. These snakes are non-aggressive, lack venom, and have mouths often too small to break human skin. Their primary defense is musk or flattening their bodies.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. They are abundant and face few major threats, though they are frequently killed by domestic pets and cars.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with keeled scales. Typically light brown to grayish-brown with two parallel rows of dark spots bordering a lighter dorsal stripe. The head is relatively small with large dark eyes and round pupils. Two dark blotches are usually present behind the head.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image appears to be a juvenile or small adult, approximately 6-10 inches (15-25 cm). Adults typically range from 9 to 13 inches (23-33 cm), with a maximum record of about 20 inches (50 cm).
Habitat
Generalist species found in various habitats including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and residential gardens. Highly adaptable to urban environments where they hide under debris, rocks, and leaf litter. Found from sea level to mountainous elevations.
Behavior & Temperament
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, though often active during the day in cooler weather. Docile temperament; when threatened, they may flatten their heads to appear larger or release a foul-smelling musk. They are frequently found in urban backyards.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized diet consisting primarily of soft-bodied invertebrates like earthworms, slugs, and snails. They use their specialized jaw structure to extract snails from their shells. They are active foragers.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Mating occurs in early spring, and litters of 3 to 40 young are typically born in late summer (July-September).
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which has a bright red belly and three light spots on the neck, or juvenile Garter Snakes (Thamnophis ssp.), which typically have more prominent longitudinal stripes.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. They are abundant and face few major threats, though they are frequently killed by domestic pets and cars.
Cultural Significance
Value lies primarily in their role as natural pest controllers in urban gardens, where they keep populations of slugs and snails in check. They are an important ecological link in suburban food webs.
Notable Features
Distinguished by their incredible urban adaptability. Unlike many snakes that flee development, Dekay's Brownsnakes thrive in city lots and suburban yards, often living their entire lives within a single residential garden.