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 →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
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.
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.
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.