DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Common across North America, ranging from southern Canada through the eastern two-thirds of the United States and south into Mexico and Central America.
Look up DeKay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (Aglyphous - lacks specialized venom-delivering fangs)
Danger Level
Harmless; these snakes are very small and possess no threat to humans or pets. They rarely even attempt to bite when handled.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). They are abundant and highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes.
Physical Description
A small, slender snake typically brown to grayish-brown. It features two rows of small dark spots running down the back, often connected by narrow crosslines. The head is relatively small with large eyes and round pupils. Scales are keeled (ridged).
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image is an adult, roughly 9–12 inches (23–30 cm). Typical species range is 9 to 13 inches, with a maximum record of about 20 inches.
Habitat
Extremely versatile; found in forests, grasslands, and wetlands, but uniquely common in urban and suburban areas like gardens, parks, and leaf litter. Prefers moist environments at low to moderate elevations.
Behavior & Temperament
Secretive and docile. They are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal. When threatened, they may flatten their bodies to appear larger or release a mild-smelling musk, but they are not aggressive.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized carnivore feeding primarily on soft-bodied invertebrates like earthworms, slugs, and snails. They are active foragers that use their teeth to pull snails from shells.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Litters typically range from 5 to 25 neonates, usually born in late summer (July–September).
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which has a bright red underside, or juvenile Garter Snakes (Thamnophis srtialis), which usually have prominent longitudinal stripes.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). They are abundant and highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically beneficial as natural pest control for gardeners, as they consume slugs and snails that damage plants. They are one of the most common wild snakes encountered by urban residents.
Notable Features
Highly adapted to urban life, these snakes can survive in very small green spaces. They possess specialized teeth and jaw mechanics specifically evolved for extracting snails from their shells.