DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Venomous Status
Non-venomous (Aglyphous - lacking specialized fangs).
Danger Level
Harmless. These snakes are not a threat to humans or pets; they rarely bite even when handled and their mouths are too small to cause significant localized injury.
Geographic Range
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).
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Extremely common and resilient to human-altered landscapes, though they face threats from pesticides (which kill their prey) and habitat fragmentation.
Physical Description
Small, slender body typically grayish-brown to tan. Features two rows of dark spots running down the back, often connected by a faint light stripe. The head is relatively small and slightly darker than the body, with dark markings below the eyes and on the temporal scales. Scales are keeled; pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be an adult, approximately 9 to 12 inches (23-30 cm) long. Typical size range for the species is 9 to 13 inches, with a maximum recorded length of about 20 inches (49 cm).
Habitat
Generalist species found in various habitats including wetlands, grasslands, and forests; highly adapted to urban environments, often found in gardens, parks, and under debris in backyards. They prefer moist areas with plenty of ground cover.
Behavior & Temperament
Docile and secretive. Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, though often active during the day in cooler weather. When threatened, they may flatten their bodies to appear larger or release a foul-smelling musk from their vent, but they are unlikely to strike.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized diet consisting primarily of slugs, snails, and earthworms. They use their specialized teeth and jaw structure to pull snails out of their shells. They are active foragers.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typically produces a litter of 10 to 20 young in late summer; neonates are very small, often less than 4 inches long, and frequently feature a white collar around the neck.
Venom & Safety
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
First Aid Advice
No medical intervention is required for a bite from this species. Wash the area with soap and water to prevent secondary infection as a standard precaution for any animal scratch or bite.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which has a bright red underside, and juvenile Garter Snakes (Thamnophis), which generally have more prominent longitudinal stripes and different facial markings.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Extremely common and resilient to human-altered landscapes, though they face threats from pesticides (which kill their prey) and habitat fragmentation.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically beneficial in residential areas as natural pest control for gardeners, as they feed on slugs and snails that damage ornamental and food plants.
Notable Features
Remarkable for its ability to thrive in densely populated urban centers where most other snake species cannot survive. They are often the most common snake encountered by humans in North American cities.