Brown Snake / Dekay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Widely distributed across eastern and central North America, extending from southern Canada through the eastern United States down into parts of Mexico and Central America.
Look up Brown Snake / Dekay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, large population, and high tolerance for disturbed habitats.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with brown to grayish-brown dorsal coloration, featuring a lighter mid-dorsal stripe bordered by small dark spots or dashes. The head is distinct from the neck, and scales are typically strongly keeled. The underside is light-colored (whitish or yellowish) with small dark dots near the outer edges.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen pictured is relatively small, measuring approximately 25-30 cm. Adults typically range from 23 to 33 cm (9 to 13 inches), with maximum recorded lengths reaching up to 50 cm.
Habitat
Highly adaptable, found in deciduous forests, fields, marshes, and heavily urbanized areas such as suburban gardens, parks, and vacant lots. They often seek refuge under surface objects like logs, stones, boards, and leaf litter.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized diet consisting almost entirely of soft-bodied invertebrates, primarily slugs, earthworms, and snails. They are active foragers, often searching damp microhabitats during twilight or after rain.
Reproduction
Viviparous (giving birth to live young). Mating typically occurs in the spring, and females give birth to litters ranging from 3 to over 20 young in late summer (usually August or September).
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, large population, and high tolerance for disturbed habitats.
Cultural Significance
Acts as an important natural pest controller in gardens and urban environments by keeping slug and snail populations in check.
Notable Features
Exhibits specialized jaw adaptations that allow them to extract snails and slugs directly out of their shells during feeding.