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DeKay's brown snake
DeKay's brown snake
from Wikipedia

DeKay's brown snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Storeria
Species:
S. dekayi
Binomial name
Storeria dekayi
(Holbrook, 1836)
Synonyms[2]
  • Coluber dekayi
    Holbrook, 1836
  • Tropidonotus dekayi
    — Holbrook, 1842
  • Ischnognathus dekayi
    A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1853
  • Storeria dekayi
    Baird & Girard, 1853

Storeria dekayi, commonly known as De Kay's brown snake, De Kay's snake, and simply the brown snake (along with many other snakes), is a small non-venomous species of snake in the family Colubridae.[3][4] The species is native to North America and Central America.

Geographic range

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S. dekayi is native to Southern Ontario and Quebec, most of the eastern half of the United States, through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and possibly El Salvador.[1][2] More specifically, this common species inhabits most wetland and terrestrial habitats east of the Great Plains from sea level to 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level.[5]

Description

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Dorsally, S. dekayi is brown to gray with a lighter center stripe bordered by small black spots; ventrally, it is lighter brown or pink with small black dots at the ends of the ventral scales.[6] Adults usually measure less than 12 inches (30 cm) in total length (including tail), but the record total length is 19+38 inches (49 cm).[7] On average, juveniles measured 3 inches (7.68 cm) just after being born.[8] The dorsal scales are keeled, and it has no loreal scale.[9] Females exceed males in snout–vent length and number of ventral scales while males exceed females in tail length, head dimensions, and number of subcaudal scales.[10]

Habitat

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S. dekayi is a lover of urban areas and tends to frequent cities more often than the countryside. It can also be found in areas such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests, but it is most commonly encountered where humans are found.[11] It prefers moist habitats.[12] Although S. dekayi is solitary, aggregations of individuals have been observed.[13]

Reproduction

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Like other natricine snakes such as water snakes (genus Nerodia) and garter snakes (genus Thamnophis), S. dekayi is a viviparous species, giving birth to live young.[14] Sexual maturity is reached at two to three years. Mating takes place in the spring, after snakes emerge from brumation. Between 3 and 41 young are born in late summer.[15]

Diet

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S. dekayi primarily feeds on slugs, snails, and earthworms.[16][17][18] In the southern extent of its region, the snake usually preys predominantly on earthworms; however, in the northern reaches of its range, slugs are the predominant food source.[17] It has specialized jaws that allow it to remove snails from their shells for consumption.[15] Reports of other invertebrates (such as woodlice, mites, or millipedes) in the diet of S. dekayi are more than likely the result of accidental ingestion rather than intentional feeding, in which one of these invertebrates may have adhered to a slug or other prey item being consumed.[19]

Ecology

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S. dekayi is a prey item for larger snakes, large frogs and toads, birds, and many mammals including weasels and invasive housecats.[20] The milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) has previously been reported to be a predator of S. dekayi.[21] An observed predator avoidance mechanism of S. dekayi is coiling the anterior portion of the body and swaying it side to side as it attempts to flee.[22] In addition to this, it releases a foul musk from its cloaca when threatened.[12] The species is shy and rarely found in the open, usually found hiding under rocks or logs for safety and comfort. It will also occasionally burrow. Its most active period is from about March to October.[citation needed]

Etymology

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The specific name, dekayi, is in honor of American zoologist James Ellsworth De Kay (1792–1851), who collected the first specimen on Long Island, New York, while the generic name, Storeria, honors American zoologist David Humphreys Storer.[23][24]

This is the only North American snake whose binomial is a double honorific – that is, both the generic name and the specific name honor people.[citation needed]

Dekay's brown snake, closeup of head

References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
DeKay's brown snake ( dekayi), also known as the American brown snake, is a small, nonvenomous colubrid species characterized by its slender body, keeled dorsal scales, and typically light brown to reddish-brown coloration with two parallel rows of darker spots along the back. Adults usually measure 6 to 13 inches (17 to 33 cm) in total length, though some can reach up to 20 inches, and they feature distinctive black markings including a spot on the top of the head, streaks behind the eyes resembling parentheses, and a pale tan or white belly often dotted with small black spots. Named after 19th-century American naturalist James Ellsworth DeKay, this secretive snake is harmless to humans and plays a beneficial role in ecosystems by preying on pest species. Native to eastern , S. dekayi has a broad geographic range extending from southern through the eastern and east of the , and into as far south as Hidalgo and . It inhabits diverse moist environments, including woodlands, forest edges, floodplains, grasslands near wetlands, urban gardens, and residential areas, but avoids high mountain elevations and arid regions. Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, especially in warmer months, these snakes are highly secretive, often hiding under leaf litter, logs, or debris during the day, and they may flatten their heads or release a musky when threatened. The diet of DeKay's brown snake consists mainly of soft-bodied , with slugs and earthworms comprising about 75% of their prey, supplemented by land snails (extracted using specialized elongated teeth), , and occasionally small amphibians. Viviparous and maturing sexually at 2 to 3 years, females give live birth to litters of 3 to 41 young in late summer (mid-July to September), with offspring resembling miniature adults but sometimes featuring a yellowish collar. It exhibits regional variations in coloration and scale patterns across its range. Overall, DeKay's brown snake is common and not currently threatened, though habitat loss in urbanizing areas can impact local populations.

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Taxonomy

Storeria dekayi, commonly known as DeKay's brown snake, is classified in the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Reptilia, order , suborder Serpentes, family , subfamily , genus , and species dekayi. The species was originally described by Holbrook in 1839 as Coluber dekayi, with the binomial name Storeria dekayi established by Baird and Girard in 1853. Within the , dekayi is placed in the subfamily, which comprises small, natricine snakes adapted to moist environments across . Phylogenetic analyses position S. dekayi closely alongside (red-bellied snake) and other species, forming a monophyletic characterized by semifossorial habits and convergent morphological traits. Genetic studies have revealed intraspecific lineages within S. dekayi, including eastern and western clades with evidence of niche differentiation, potentially shaped by anthropogenic disturbances and climate factors as explored in recent research. Although historically up to eight subspecies were proposed based on geographic and minor morphological variations—such as S. d. dekayi (northern brown snake, widespread in eastern ), S. d. wrightorum (midland brown snake, central U.S.), S. d. texana (, southwestern U.S.), S. d. limnetes ( brown snake, Midwest), S. d. tropica (Florida brown snake, southeastern U.S.), S. d. anomala, S. d. temporalineata, and S. d. victa (, Florida Keys)—contemporary taxonomy treats S. dekayi as monotypic. distinctions were synonymized following phylogenomic evidence of inadequate and diagnosability, with S. victa recognized as a distinct Storeria victa by major authorities including the Reptile Database and Pyron et al. (2016).

Etymology

The common name DeKay's brown snake honors James Ellsworth De Kay (1792–1851), an American zoologist and naturalist who collected the first known specimen of the species on , New York. The scientific name Storeria dekayi consists of two honorific elements, a rare occurrence in where both the and species names commemorate individuals. The Storeria was established in 1853 by and Charles Frédéric Girard to honor David Humphreys Storer (1804–1891), an American physician, naturalist, and from known for his contributions to and . The specific epithet dekayi is a patronym directly referencing De Kay, reflecting his role in providing the initial material for study. The species was first described scientifically in 1839 by American herpetologist John Edwards Holbrook as Coluber dekayi (later placed in Tropidonotus), based on specimens from locations including Massachusetts, New York, and Louisiana; it was subsequently reclassified into the genus Storeria by Baird and Girard in 1853. One subspecies, Storeria dekayi wrightorum, is named in honor of herpetologists Albert Hazen Wright and Anna Allen Wright.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) is distributed across much of eastern , extending from southern southward into . Its native range includes southern provinces such as and in , spanning the from to and westward to the , encompassing states like and . The distribution continues into (including states such as and Hidalgo in the north, and in the south) and reaches in and , with possible occurrences in and . The inhabits elevations ranging from to approximately 1,400 meters, though records in extend up to 1,900 meters in some areas. The species' range has remained relatively stable historically and into the current period as of 2025, with no major contractions or expansions documented, though urban development has led to fragmentation in some populated regions.

Habitat preferences

DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) occupies diverse habitats across its range, including urban and suburban areas, s, grasslands, deciduous forests, rocky outcrops, and edge habitats, while avoiding arid regions and open prairies due to its preference for moist environments. In woodland settings, it favors moist bottomlands and margins, and it thrives in areas with ample ground cover such as scrub forests and riparian zones. At the microhabitat level, S. dekayi seeks out sites that retain moisture and provide cover, including leaf litter, beneath rocks and logs, in burrows, and within rock crevices. It frequently forms aggregations in woody debris piles, especially in stabilized dune habitats where females select such sites for . Seasonally, the snake exhibits more terrestrial activity in summer, foraging aboveground during evenings or after rains. In northern parts of its range, it shifts to a semi-fossorial lifestyle in winter, hibernating communally in deep dens below the frost line, often under buildings or in . This species demonstrates high adaptability to human-modified landscapes, commonly inhabiting gardens, parks, vacant lots, and roadside ditches, where it benefits from increased edge habitats and .

Physical description

Morphology

DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) possesses a slender, cylindrical body form characteristic of small colubrids in the genus Storeria, facilitating movement through leaf litter and understory vegetation. The dorsal scales are keeled, providing a textured surface, and are arranged in 15–17 rows at midbody, with a divided anal plate distinguishing it from species with single plates. The head is small and indistinct from the neck, lacking a loreal scale between the nasal and preocular; it features seven supralabial scales and enlarged rear maxillary teeth specialized for grasping and extracting soft-bodied prey like snails from shells. Unlike pit vipers, S. dekayi lacks heat-sensing pits, depending on the Jacobson's organ for chemoreception, where chemical cues gathered by the are analyzed for environmental navigation and prey detection. Sexual dimorphism manifests in tail length and overall size, with males exhibiting proportionally longer tails (typically 23–27% of total length) compared to females (17–23%), while females are larger in body size to support .

Size and coloration

DeKay's brown snakes (Storeria dekayi) are small colubrids, with adults typically attaining a total length of 20–30 cm (8–12 inches), though individuals can occasionally reach up to 49 cm (19.4 inches). Newborn juveniles measure 9–11 cm in length at birth. These snakes exhibit relatively slow growth, doubling in length by the end of their second summer, and reach at 2–3 years of age. Sexual size dimorphism is present, with females larger than males overall, though males have relatively longer tails. The dorsal coloration of S. dekayi is generally grayish-brown to light brown or reddish-brown, featuring a faint light mid-dorsal stripe bordered by two rows of small dark spots that may connect into short bars; a black spot is present on the top of the head, with streaks behind the eyes resembling parentheses. The ventral surface is pinkish-brown, cream-colored, or pale tan, marked with small black spots alternating along the edges of the ventral scales. Juveniles display a more uniform dark gray to black dorsal pattern, which lightens and develops the adult markings within the first year. Subspecies of S. dekayi exhibit subtle variations in coloration and pattern. These differences align with regional adaptations but do not alter the species' overall scale patterns, such as the keeled dorsal scales detailed in morphological descriptions.

Behavior and ecology

Diet and foraging

DeKay's brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) primarily consumes soft-bodied , with slugs forming the bulk of its diet in many populations, alongside earthworms and snails. Slugs such as can comprise up to 82% of identified prey items in some studies, reflecting the snake's specialization as a molluscivore. Earthworms and snails serve as key supplementary prey, with the latter often targeted using specialized mandibular structures. The snake possesses enlarged rear teeth and a modified morphology that facilitate snail extraction from shells, enabling it to grasp and pull the soft body while discarding the shell. This adaptation, observed in behavioral studies of the genus , involves wedging the against the substrate and using mandibular leverage to eviscerate the prey. Secondary prey includes , isopods, and occasionally small amphibians or , though these are less frequent than primary items. Dietary composition shows regional variation; for instance, in moister northern habitats, slugs dominate, while earthworm consumption increases in southern ranges. Foraging occurs on the ground, both nocturnally and diurnally, with the snake relying on chemosensory cues like to detect prey in leaf litter or under cover objects. It employs tactics, remaining motionless to surprise soft-bodied targets. Juveniles exhibit an ontogenetic shift toward smaller , such as tiny slugs or larvae, constrained by their reduced gape size compared to adults.

Reproduction and life cycle

DeKay's brown snake ( dekayi) is viviparous, giving birth to live young after internal development of embryos within the female's body, without additional nourishment beyond the . typically occurs in spring, from late March through May, during which males locate receptive females by following trails detected via the tongue and . The gestation period lasts approximately 105 to 113 days, or about 3.5 months. Females give birth to litters in late summer, primarily from mid-July to early , with young measuring around 75–100 mm in total length at birth. Clutch sizes range from 3 to 41 offspring, though averages fall between 10 and 20 young per litter, varying by female size and geographic location. There is no after birth; neonates are independent and must forage immediately. Sexual maturity is reached at 2 to 3 years of age, with females typically maturing at a snout-vent length of about 175 mm. In the wild, individuals have a lifespan of 4 to 7 years, though many perish before adulthood due to predation and environmental factors; captive specimens may live up to 9 years.

Predators and defense mechanisms

DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) faces predation from a variety of larger animals due to its small size and secretive habits. Common predators include amphibians such as bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) and other large anurans, which opportunistically consume the snake in wetland and riparian areas. Larger snakes, such as juvenile milksnakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) and racers (Coluber constrictor), also prey on S. dekayi, often ambushing it during foraging. Avian predators like hawks, , and target the snake, particularly when it is active on the surface, while mammals including shrews, weasels, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and hunt it in leaf litter and under cover. Even spiders have been documented capturing individuals. To counter these threats, S. dekayi employs a suite of passive and active defense mechanisms. Passive strategies rely on and concealment, enhanced by its brown coloration that blends with leaf litter and soil for . When detected, the snake often freezes in place or flees rapidly to nearby cover such as logs or vegetation, minimizing exposure. Active defenses include dorso-ventral of the body and head to appear larger and mimic the triangular shape of venomous snakes like copperheads, sometimes accompanied by side-to-side swaying or a defensive coil while retreating slowly. It rarely bites, preferring instead to release a foul-smelling from cloacal glands to deter attackers, a observed in 94% of captured individuals. Juveniles and neonates frequently feign (thanatosis) by going limp and emitting a musky , which can discourage predators that prefer live prey. These defenses contribute to the species' survival, though predation pressure is notably high on juveniles, which experience elevated mortality rates compared to adults—evidenced by population studies showing adult-to-juvenile ratios as high as 512:188 in sampled groups. Nocturnal activity patterns, particularly in summer, further reduce encounter rates with diurnal predators like birds and some mammals. Overall, predation plays a key role in regulating S. dekayi populations, maintaining ecological balance by controlling numbers in favorable habitats.

Activity patterns and behavior

DeKay's brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) exhibits primarily diurnal activity during spring and fall, when it is most active throughout the day, but shifts to crepuscular or nocturnal patterns in summer, with peaks in morning and late afternoon or early evening. The species is active from March or April through October, depending on regional climate, emerging from overwintering sites on warm days in late winter or early spring. During colder months, individuals enter communal in underground dens or hibernacula, often sharing sites with other snake species for . As a slow-moving crawler, S. dekayi is semi-fossorial, spending much of its time burrowing or hiding under surface cover such as logs, rocks, or leaf litter, and occasionally emerging during heavy rains. Its home range is small, typically less than 1 , reflecting a with limited long-distance movements except during seasonal migrations to hibernation sites. The snake is mostly solitary outside of hibernation, though it forms occasional aggregations for or overwintering, potentially aiding in maintaining optimal body temperatures. Individuals bask under cover during late morning or early afternoon in spring and fall, responding to environmental temperatures with activity levels peaking between 20–30°C and ceasing below 10°C.

Conservation and human relations

Conservation status

DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with its 2013 assessment noting a stable population trend across its wide distribution and no major threats identified at the global scale. NatureServe assigns it a global conservation status of G5 (secure), based on a review in 2016 that confirms its abundance and resilience despite localized habitat pressures. The species maintains abundant populations throughout its range, with estimates suggesting millions of individuals across ; adult numbers alone exceed 100,000, and local densities can reach hundreds per in optimal urban and forested habitats. No significant declines have been documented prior to 2025, reflecting its adaptability to varied environments. Regionally, S. dekayi is secure (S4 or S5 ranks) in the majority of U.S. states and Canadian provinces within its range, such as (S5) and New York (S5). An exception is the subspecies S. d. victa in the , which faces vulnerability due to its small, isolated and restricted availability. Monitoring efforts include contributions to herpetological atlases, such as the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, which document occurrences and trends to support ongoing status assessments.

Threats and conservation efforts

DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) faces several anthropogenic threats, primarily from and , which disrupt its preferred moist environments such as forest edges, wetlands, and urban green spaces. Urban development leads to loss of cover and reduced through isolated populations, though the species shows some tolerance to disturbed habitats. Road mortality is a significant issue, with high rates observed during seasonal migrations, particularly affecting juveniles and males in fall, as vehicles strike snakes crossing roads in urban and suburban areas. Pesticides and from agricultural and urban further threaten the species by contaminating soil and water, reducing populations of invertebrate prey like slugs, snails, and earthworms that form the bulk of its diet. Climate change poses an emerging threat by altering moisture levels in habitats, potentially drying out essential and forest floor microhabitats that the snake relies on for and . Recent modeling studies predict range shifts northward due to warming temperatures, with expansions projected under moderate emissions scenarios by 2070, though this could exacerbate fragmentation in southern populations. Specific impacts include elevated juvenile mortality from road kills, estimated to contribute substantially to population declines in high-traffic areas, and pollution-induced prey scarcity, which indirectly limits and growth rates. Conservation efforts for S. dekayi focus on mitigating these threats through targeted protection and infrastructure adaptations, as the species requires no federal protections globally due to its widespread distribution and urban adaptability. In and park settings, such as U.S. state parks like Fox Ridge in , initiatives include preserving moist refugia and installing structures like hose-bridges to reduce road mortality by allowing safe passage under roads. programs, including the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, monitor populations and document threats, aiding in local management plans. In , restoration projects by organizations like have rebuilt hibernation sites and fallow lands in nature reserves to support urban-adjacent populations. The future outlook for DeKay's brown snake remains resilient owing to its tolerance for urban environments, enabling persistence in fragmented landscapes where other reptiles decline. However, southern subspecies such as S. d. victa may require more focused actions, including enhanced protections, to counter intensified climate-driven shifts and localized .

Interactions with humans

DeKay's brown snake ( dekayi) is entirely harmless to humans, lacking and any functional Duvernoy's or enlarged rear fangs capable of delivering toxins. These snakes rarely bite even when handled, preferring to flee or release a mild musky from cloacal glands as a defense mechanism. Their small size and docile nature often lead to confusion with common garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.), though DeKay's brown snakes are more secretive and less boldly patterned. Human encounters with DeKay's brown snakes are frequent in urban and suburban settings, particularly in yards, gardens, and under debris like logs or boards where they seek shelter. These snakes provide ecological benefits by preying on garden pests such as slugs, snails, earthworms, and soft-bodied , acting as natural controllers of populations that damage crops and ornamentals. Homeowners often discover them while or mowing, and their presence is generally encouraged in backyard habitats to support pest management without chemical interventions. In cultural and educational contexts, DeKay's brown snakes are occasionally kept as pets by reptile enthusiasts due to their small size, low maintenance needs, and non-aggressive temperament, though they require careful husbandry to mimic their natural moist, leaf-litter environments. They feature prominently in educational programs on native North American , highlighting and the role of non-venomous species in local ecosystems, with their scientific name honoring 19th-century naturalist James Ellsworth De Kay. Commercial trade is minimal, limited to a small number of specialty breeders and suppliers rather than widespread markets. A common misconception portrays DeKay's brown snakes as venomous due to their brown coloration and occasional defensive flattening of the head, which mimics more dangerous species like young copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix). This error frequently results in unnecessary killings by individuals unfamiliar with their harmless nature, exacerbating local population declines despite their abundance. Educational outreach emphasizes accurate identification to reduce such incidents and promote tolerance for these beneficial reptiles.

References

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