Northern Brown Snake
(Storeria
dekayi dekayi) |
 |
DESCRIPTION: This is a small snake that
grows to lengths of 9-13 in. (23-33 cm). The body and tail is
light brown or gray to dark brown or nearly black with a
longitudinal series of small, paired, black spots. The area
between the spots is lighter than the rest of the body, forming
a tan stripe down the center of the back. Juveniles are uniform
dark brown to black dorsally, with a narrow cream to yellow
collar on the neck. This snake is viviparous (bears live young).
Mating occurs from late March through May with a gestation
period of 105-113 days. Virginia females bear litters of 3-26
young. It is non-poisonous and does not bite.
STATUS:
RANGE: East of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, except for one each in Alleghany, Bath, and
Washington counties.
HABITAT: Northern brownsnakes are
terrestrial, secretive, and seldom found in the open. They are
nocturnal, but most often found under surface objects such as
boards, trash of all sorts, logs and rocks. Their microhabitat
may be described as the soil-humus layer. Habitats include
hardwood forests, mixed hardwood-pine forests, pine woods,
grasslands, early successional stages of abandoned agricultural
land, woodlots, and urban areas. Hibernation sites include ant
mounds and abandoned rodent burrows.
SPECIAL HABITAT:
FOOD: This species eats earthworms, slugs,
spiders, and (rarely) small amphibians. They also may consume
small fish and insects. |
