Field Guide to Maryland's Snakes (Order Squamata)
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Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) |
![Illustration of Juvenile Northern Brownsnake](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NB_illu_Collar.gif)
![Photo of Adult Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of Scott A. Smith](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NB_ScottSmith.jpg) Photo of Adult Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of Scott A. Smith
| Former Name:
Northern Brownsnake | Size: 9 - 13 inches. Record - 19⅜ inches. | Appearance:- Two parallel rows of black spots down a yellowish-brown, gray, dark brown or reddish brown back.
- The area between the spots is lighter than the rest of the body, almost forming a stripe.
- A thin dark line extends from the back of the head behind the eye to the base of the jaw.
- Keeled scales.
- Belly cream to gray with tiny dark dots at the edges.
- Young have a yellow collar around the neck.
![Photo of Adult Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of John White](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NB_Adult_JohnWhite.jpg) Photo of Adult Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of John White
![Photo of Juvenile Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of John White](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NB_Juv_JohnWhite.jpg) Photo of Juvenile Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of John White | Habitats:Any type of moist (mesic) woods, grasslands, bogs, swamps, freshwater marshes, old fields, urban parks and backyards. | How to Find:A secretive nocturnal species. Look under any coarse woody debris and trash on field-woodland and wetland edges. This is a non-venomous species that is gentle when handled.
![Photo of Habitat for Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of Andy Becker](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NB_AndyBecker.jpg) Photo of Habitat for Dekay’s Brownsnake courtesy of Andy Becker | Distribution in Maryland:Found throughout Maryland including urban areas.
![Dekay’s Brownsnake - Distribution in Maryland](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NB_Map.jpg)
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