# Red-bellied Snake (*Storeria occipitomaculata*) The Red-bellied Snake is a small, friendly snake with a bright red belly. It loves to hide under leaves and logs, making it a great friend for exploring nature! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Red-bellied Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Redbelly_Snake_-_Storeria_occipitomaculata_occipitomaculata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Chris Falt, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Redbelly_Snake_-_Storeria_occipitomaculata_occipitomaculata.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-bellied Snake is a tiny, slender snake, typically brownish, gray, or black on its back. Its most striking feature is a bright red, orange, or pink belly, often contrasting sharply with its dark top. It usually has three distinct light spots behind its head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Storeria ## Interesting facts - Some Red-bellied Snakes don't actually have red bellies, but orange or pink! - Their special hinged jaws let them swallow surprisingly large slugs and worms. - These tiny snakes are one of North America's smallest reptile species! - When startled, they quickly flatten their body to appear wider and bigger! ## Special abilities - **Playing Possum:** Red-bellied Snake can play dead by flipping over and staying still, which helps them trick predators into thinking they're not tasty! - **Slippery Snack Seizer:** Red-bellied Snakes have tiny, pointed teeth perfect for grasping slippery slugs and earthworms, helping them catch their favorite meals. - **Live Little Ones:** Red-bellied Snakes give birth to live, miniature baby snakes instead of laying eggs, helping their young have a head start. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-40 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.014 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-4 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-14 ## Diet & Feeding This tiny snake loves to slurp up slugs and earthworms, along with other soft-bodied insects! - **Primary Foods:** Slugs, Earthworms, Grubs, Sowbugs, Small salamanders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Crows will prey on small snakes found in open areas. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Larger garter snakes can sometimes prey on smaller snakes. - **Eaten by:** Striped Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*) — Skunks are opportunistic predators that eat small reptiles. - **Hunts:** Dusky Arion (*Arion subfuscus*) — This snake's specialized diet includes various species of slugs. - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Earthworms are a primary food source for Red-bellied Snakes. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-bellied Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-bellied Snake? 20-40 cm ### How much does Red-bellied Snake weigh? 0.002-0.014 kg ### How long does Red-bellied Snake live? 2-4 years ### How fast can Red-bellied Snake move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Red-bellied Snake eat? This tiny snake loves to slurp up slugs and earthworms, along with other soft-bodied insects! ### Where is Red-bellied Snake usually found? Forests ### How does Red-bellied Snake hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Enfield Shaker Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/enfield-shaker-museum) — New Hampshire, US · Museum - [Gary City Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gary-city-center-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Kennebunkport Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kennebunkport-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Charleston, South Carolina)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/magnolia-plantation-and-gardens-charleston-south-carolina) — South Carolina, US · Botanical Garden - [New Boston Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-boston-village-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-hill-patrick-henry-national-memorial) — Virginia, US · National Park [View all places to see Red-bellied Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-bellied-snake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Red-bellied Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-bellied-snake)