Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi • Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Natricinae, Storeria, S. dekayi
Eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada through the eastern United States down into Mexico and parts of Central America.
Look up Brown Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Natricinae, Storeria, S. dekayi
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, as it is a widespread and adaptable species tolerant of habitat modification.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with a brownish to grayish coloration, often featuring a lighter mid-dorsal stripe bordered by small dark spots or dashes. The belly is usually lighter, pinkish or whitish.
Size & Dimensions
Typically ranges from 20 to 38 cm (8 to 15 inches) in total length, with a maximum recorded length around 52 cm.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of moist habitats including woodlands, marshes, fields, and heavily urbanized areas like parks and suburban yards, often hiding under rocks, logs, boards, and other debris.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on soft-bodied invertebrates such as earthworms, slugs, and snails, using an active foraging strategy in leaf litter and under cover.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young), producing litters typically ranging from 3 to 20 young in late summer.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, as it is a widespread and adaptable species tolerant of habitat modification.
Cultural Significance
Acts as an important controller of garden pests like slugs and snails in suburban environments.
Notable Features
Known for its secretive nature and high adaptability to human-altered urban landscapes.