Brown Snake
ExploreReptiles
Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi
Brown Snakes are small and usually brown or gray. They like to hide in leaf litter and are very shy.
Habitat: Woodlands and gardens
Appearance
The Brown Snake is a small, slender reptile, typically brown to grayish-brown with a lighter stripe running down its back. It often has two rows of small dark spots along its sides, sometimes merging into a checkerboard pattern, and a distinct dark marking on its neck.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyColubridaeGenusStoreria
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
175
Interesting facts
Brown snakes help our gardens by eating slimy slugs and snails, keeping plants safe.
Imagine being born without an egg! Brown snakes have live babies, up to 20 at once.
These shy snakes are completely harmless to humans and are very gentle.
They are so tiny, some are shorter than your hand, but mighty pest controllers!
Special abilities
Ability
Tiny Tsunami
Brown Snake has the unique ability to give birth to up to 20 live, fully formed young at once, rather than laying eggs.
Ability
Snail Snacker
Brown Snake can easily eat soft-bodied invertebrates like slugs and snails because of its specialized small, pointed teeth designed for gripping them.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-33 cm
- Weight
- 0.002-0.014 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Top Speed
- 1 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-20
Diet & Feeding
Tiny predators, Brown Snakes feast on slugs, snails, and soft-bodied invertebrates found in gardens.
Primary Foods
- Slugs
- Snails
- Earthworms
- Soft-bodied insects
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Small snakes can be prey for these opportunistic raptors.
eaten by
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Larger garter snakes may prey on smaller brown snakes.
hunts
Black Slug
Arion ater
A primary food source, helping control slug populations.
hunts
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
An important part of its diet, especially in moist soil.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Dekay's Brown SnakeDekay's Snake
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Brown Snake?
20-33 cm
How much does Brown Snake weigh?
0.002-0.014 kg
How long does Brown Snake live?
2-5 years
How fast can Brown Snake move?
1 km/h
What does Brown Snake eat?
Tiny predators, Brown Snakes feast on slugs, snails, and soft-bodied invertebrates found in gardens.
Where is Brown Snake usually found?
Woodlands and gardens
How does Brown Snake hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Brown Snake lay?
3-20
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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