DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Extensive range across North America, from southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec) through the eastern half of the United States, and south into Mexico and Central America (Guatemala, Honduras).
Look up DeKay's Brownsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (Aglyphous)
Danger Level
Harmless. These snakes are not aggressive and their small teeth rarely break human skin. They pose no risk to people or pets.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Storeria, Species: Storeria dekayi
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is stable and highly resilient to human encroachment and habitat fragmentation.
Physical Description
Small, slender snake with a base color ranging from light brown to gray. It features two parallel rows of small dark spots bordering a lighter central dorsal stripe. The head is small with dark markings on the temples and below the eyes. Scales are keeled; pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be an adult, approximately 20-30 cm in length. Typical adult size range is 23-33 cm, with a record maximum of roughly 50 cm.
Habitat
Highly adaptable; found in moist forests, grasslands, swamps, and marshes. They are notably common in urban and suburban areas, often living under debris, flowerbeds, or leaf litter. Found from sea level to over 1,400 meters.
Behavior & Temperament
Secretive and docile. They are primarily fossorial or terrestrial, spending most of their time under logs, rocks, or refuse. When threatened, they may flatten their bodies to appear larger or release a foul-smelling musk. Mostly diurnal but can be nocturnal in hot weather.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized feeder primarily consuming earthworms, slugs, and snails. They use their small teeth to grasp slippery prey and lack constriction, relying on their anatomy to swallow prey whole.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typically produces a litter of 3-40 young between mid-summer and early autumn. Young are born measuring about 7-10 cm and are often darker than adults.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which has a bright red underside and three light spots behind the head, or the Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), which is usually larger and has more distinct longitudinal stripes.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is stable and highly resilient to human encroachment and habitat fragmentation.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically vital for controlling garden pests like slugs and snails. They are one of the most frequently encountered snakes by home gardeners in North America, serving as a beneficial 'neighbor' in urban ecosystems.
Notable Features
One of the few snake species that thrives in densely populated human environments. They have specialized teeth and jaws adapted for extracting snails from their shells.