DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Widely distributed across North America, ranging from southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada, through the eastern and central United States, down into Mexico and Central America (Guatemala and Honduras).
Look up DeKay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous
Danger Level
Harmless; these snakes are gentle, lack venom, and have teeth too small to puncture human skin effectively.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN); very common and resilient to human-altered landscapes, though they are often killed by domestic cats or mistaken for dangerous species.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake typically light brown to grayish-brown. It features two rows of small, dark spots running down the back, bordering a lighter central stripe. The head is relatively small with round pupils and a dark downward streak behind each eye (post-ocular stripe). The scales are keeled (ridged).
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image appears to be an adult, approximately 25-30 cm. Typical adult size range is 23-33 cm (9-13 inches), with a maximum recorded length of about 50 cm.
Habitat
Extremely versatile; found in wetlands, grasslands, and forests, but highly adapted to urban and suburban environments. Commonly found under debris, leaf litter, and rocks in gardens and city parks. Elevation ranges from sea level to approximately 1,400 meters.
Behavior & Temperament
Secretive and docile. Primarily fossorial (burrowing) or terrestrial under cover. If threatened, they may flatten their bodies to appear larger or release a musk from their cloaca, but they rarely bite. Active primarily during the day (diurnal) but can be crepuscular in hot weather.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized feeder on soft-bodied invertebrates, primarily earthworms, slugs, and snails. They use specialized jaw morphology to extract snails from their shells. They are active foragers rather than ambush predators.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typically produces 5 to 25 young per litter during late summer (July to September). Mating occurs in early spring shortly after emerging from hibernation.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which has a bright red underside and three light neck spots, or juvenile Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sills), which usually have much more distinct longitudinal striping.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN); very common and resilient to human-altered landscapes, though they are often killed by domestic cats or mistaken for dangerous species.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically significant as a natural pest control agent in gardens, keeping populations of slugs and snails in check. They are one of the few snake species that thrive in densely populated human cities.
Notable Features
Noted for its extreme 'urban tolerance' and its unique ability to wedge its teeth into the soft bodies of snails to pull them out of their shells, a highly specialized feeding adaptation.