Page 38 - Arkansas Snake Guide

WOODLAND SNAKES

SUZANNE COLLINS
Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi
Range Statewide.
Description Scales keeled. Color can vary from light
yellow-brown, gray, red-brown, to dark brown. Light gray or
brown stripe down center of back, bordered by two rows
of black, brown or dark gray spots. Belly can be cream-
colored, pink or yellow. Top of head is dark with two large
black spots on either side of neck. Young patterned like
adults, but darker. Adults average 9-13 inches in length.
Habitat and Habits Prefers moist environments of
forests, woodland edge, swamps and floodplains. Active
late March-October, breeds in spring or fall and gives
birth to 3-31 young from late July-September. Feeds
on earthworms, slugs and land snails. Blunt heads and
elongated teeth allow brown and redbelly (opposite page)
snakes to extract land snails from their shells.
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