Brown Snake

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 creamcolored, 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.