Characteristics:
A small snake, just over a foot in max length. They generally have a gray to brown coloration with two rows of dark markings along the back. There are two very distinct dark blotches behind the head on either side of the neck, also a small dark spot below the eyes.
The scales of the brownsnake are strongly keeled.
Habitat:
Found in a large variety of habitats. Woodland, prairie, floodplain, and farm fields are all places brownsnakes are commonly sighted. They prefer locations with plenty of cover (rocks, logs, etc) to hide under.
Behavior:
The Dekay's brownsnake is a very common snake, but is not often not seen due to its rather secretive habits. They spend most of their time under rocks or logs foraging for food. They eat a wide variety of invertebrates including slugs, worms, and snails. The brownsnake mates in mid to late spring and gives birth to live young in late summer. During the spring, large numbers of them move from the hibernacula to their summer habitat. The primary defense used by the brownsnake is thier musk glands that they will not hesitate to use when handled.
Personal Remarks:
This is one snake we can always count on seeing in the spring. As stated above, they move from where they hibernate in the spring and can be seen in large numbers crossing roads that lead to their summer habitat. At one location specifically we see huge numbers of them crossing the road. We can just walk up and down the road and see literally hundreds of them in one day. This is a snake that shows up in some unlikely places as well. They have turned up in our landscaping more than once.
A small snake, just over a foot in max length. They generally have a gray to brown coloration with two rows of dark markings along the back. There are two very distinct dark blotches behind the head on either side of the neck, also a small dark spot below the eyes.
The scales of the brownsnake are strongly keeled.
Habitat:
Found in a large variety of habitats. Woodland, prairie, floodplain, and farm fields are all places brownsnakes are commonly sighted. They prefer locations with plenty of cover (rocks, logs, etc) to hide under.
Behavior:
The Dekay's brownsnake is a very common snake, but is not often not seen due to its rather secretive habits. They spend most of their time under rocks or logs foraging for food. They eat a wide variety of invertebrates including slugs, worms, and snails. The brownsnake mates in mid to late spring and gives birth to live young in late summer. During the spring, large numbers of them move from the hibernacula to their summer habitat. The primary defense used by the brownsnake is thier musk glands that they will not hesitate to use when handled.
Personal Remarks:
This is one snake we can always count on seeing in the spring. As stated above, they move from where they hibernate in the spring and can be seen in large numbers crossing roads that lead to their summer habitat. At one location specifically we see huge numbers of them crossing the road. We can just walk up and down the road and see literally hundreds of them in one day. This is a snake that shows up in some unlikely places as well. They have turned up in our landscaping more than once.
