Is the dekay's brownsnake venomous?

The dekay's brownsnake is harmless. Harmless. Beneficial in gardens, where it eats slugs and snails.

How do you identify a dekay's brownsnake?

Small and slender — a foot long is a big one. Two rows of tiny dark dots flanking a pale dorsal stripe.

Where do dekay's brownsnakes live?

They are found in 36 US states, in habitats including suburban, woods, farmland and grassland.

Dekay's Brownsnake

Harmless

Storeria dekayi · also called brown snake, ground snake, city snake

Dekay's brownsnake is the small snake under the paving slab, in the compost heap, or in the flower bed. It thrives in cities and suburbs, eats slugs and earthworms, and rarely exceeds a foot. It is probably the most commonly encountered snake in urban North America and is entirely harmless.

Venom: Harmless. Beneficial in gardens, where it eats slugs and snails.
Adult length: 9–15 inches (23–38 cm)
Markings: Plain brown or grey-brown with a slightly paler stripe down the back, edged by two rows of small dark dots. The belly is pale pink or cream.
Habitat: suburban, woods, farmland, grassland
Family: colubrid
Range: 36 US states

How to identify a dekay's brownsnake

Small and slender — a foot long is a big one.
Two rows of tiny dark dots flanking a pale dorsal stripe.
Pale pink or cream belly.
Found under boards, stones, mulch and garden debris.

What it does when it sees you

Hides. Almost never bites, and is too small to break skin meaningfully if it tried. Gives birth to live young.

What the dekay's brownsnake is confused with

One test settles each of these.

Pygmy rattlesnake →

Pygmy rattlers are stout-bodied with solid blotches and a tiny rattle. Brownsnakes are slender with dot rows and a plain tapering tail.

Red-bellied snake →

Red-bellied snakes have a vivid orange or red belly and usually three pale spots on the neck.

Before anything else

Back away and leave it alone. A snake that can see you leaving has no reason to bite. Most bites in the United States happen to people who picked up, cornered, or tried to kill a snake.
Never handle a snake to identify it. Every identification on this site can be made from a photo or from several feet away.
If someone is bitten, call emergency services now. Keep the limb still and below the heart, remove rings and watches, and go to hospital. Do not cut, suck, apply ice, or use a tourniquet — all of these make outcomes worse.
Do not try to catch the snake for identification. A photo from a distance is enough, and hospitals treat symptoms rather than species.

In the US, the Poison Help line is 1-800-222-1222. This site is a reference, not medical advice.

Not sure it was a dekay's brownsnake? Identify it step by step →