Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria occipitomaculata
Widely distributed throughout eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada down through the eastern and central United States to the Gulf Coast and parts of Texas.
Look up Red-bellied Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria occipitomaculata
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and presumed large overall population, though local habitats are threatened by development.
Physical Description
Small-bodied snake with brownish or grayish dorsal coloration, often featuring a lighter mid-dorsal stripe bordered by rows of small dark spots. The head is relatively distinct from the neck.
Size & Dimensions
Typically reaches an adult length of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches), with a maximum recorded length of around 40 cm.
Habitat
Found primarily in moist woodlands, forest edges, meadows, and bogs, often hiding beneath logs, bark, stones, or leaf litter.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized feeder focusing primarily on soft-bodied invertebrates, especially slugs, earthworms, and snails.
Reproduction
Viviparous species giving birth to live young, typically producing litters of 1 to 20 offspring during the late summer months.
Look-alikes
Can be confused with other small colubrids such as Brown Snakes (Storeria dekayi) or Ring-necked Snakes (Diadophis punctatus), but distinguished by specific scale counts, dorsal patterns, and bright underside coloration.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and presumed large overall population, though local habitats are threatened by development.
Cultural Significance
Serves a vital ecological role in regulating invertebrate populations such as slugs and earthworms in woodland and garden ecosystems.
Notable Features
Noted for its extremely secretive and docile nature, rarely attempting to bite when handled, instead preferring to curl its upper lip or exhibit other mild defensive displays.