A-luring Tails

Posted by Dolly Worrell on September 23, 2005

Q: I found a small snake by our back porch steps. It had a dark grayish color with a brown stripe down its back and a red belly. I researched the red-bellied water snake but there was no mention of the brown stripe.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Pennsylvania

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: I bet it was a Red-bellied Snake — *not* a Red-bellied Water Snake. Although they are extremely variable — even in the same location — these snakes do typically have a light stripe down the middle of the back and a red belly. I have found individuals with gray, tan and reddish-brown dorsal coloration.

Solon Morse ( September 23, 2005)