Latin name
Storeria dekayi spp.
Fast facts
Appearance
The color of this snake varies from yellowish-brown and reddish-brown to dark brown or gray. There is a weakly defined lighter stripe down the back with a row of dark spots on either side. Historically recognized subspecies differentiated populations via the presence of Ddark lines crossing the back, and connecting the dark spots on either side, but this is now understood as morphological variation within the species. The under surface is pale yellow, brownish, or pinkish with small black dots along the edges. The young are darker than the adults and the spotted pattern is almost invisible. Also, the young have a yellow collar across the back of the neck.
Range
Overall Range
The Dekay’s brown snake ranges from southern Quebec and New England southward
to the Florida panhandle and west to the Great Plains region.
Range in Ohio
This snake lives in most parts of Ohio except for the unglaciated hills of the
southeastern part of the state.
Local Habitat
This snake lives in moist to wet areas in woodland, prairies, marshes, and in the margins of swamps, bogs and ponds. In areas of human habitation it sometimes occurs in vacant lots and gardens.
Lifestyle
Large numbers of the Dekay’s brown snake often hibernate together during the winter. During mild weather they are diurnal, while in warm weather they are nocturnal. These are secretive snakes that hide under flat rocks, logs and trash.
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