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Northern Brown Snake

Overview:

Scientific Name: Storeria dekayi

Size: 9 – 20.7” but rarely larger than 15” (total adult length)

Status: Locally abundant but less abundant as you move north in their range

Habitat:

Inhabit a variety of habitats including dense woods, shrublands, open prairies, meadows, and marshes. Prefer moist soils but can be found in drier areas like hillsides and pine woods. Tolerant of human habitat alteration and can occupy agricultural, urban, and suburban areas.  

Conservation:

Despite their abundance in less intensely developed areas, they are often undetected by humans. Many assume they are “baby garter snakes.” Urban and agricultural populations are in danger of rapid extirpation by development activities or toxic chemical exposure. Harmless to human interests.  

Best Management:

Found in upland areas, considerations should be made to enhance upland community spaces through tree thinning, occasional fire use, and habitat restoration or enhancement.  

Adult Coloration:

Brown, greyish-brown, or tan with two parallel rows of dark spots down the back which may connect into a ladderlike pattern of dark crossbars with a wide lighter brown back stripe between these spots. Spots along the sides are possible. The head is dark with a dark bar at the back of the jaw with a dark spot under the eye and a dark blotch on each side of the neck. The belly can be cream to buff to light pink sometimes with small dark spots at the edge.  

Adult Characteristics:

A small snake with a small head, keeled scales (each scale has a small central ridge), and a divided anal plate. Males are slightly smaller with shorter tails than females.  

Juvenile Characteristics:

Newborns can range from 2.7 – 4.6” in length and are darker than adults with a light band around the neck.  

Scale Count:

Usually 17 scale rows at midbody

Species Confused With:

Northern Red-bellied Snakes usually have red or pink bellies and 15 scale rows at midbody. Garter Snakes have light stripes down the sides and a single anal plate. Northern Ring-necked Snakes are small but lack spots or stripes on the back and have yellow or orange bellies and unkeeled scales.  

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