snakes

Posted by Rita Nadeau on April 9, 2006

Q: We found a small brownish snake with red-orange belly. It is about the size of pencil and approximately one foot long.

We would like to know what kind of snake it is.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Manitoba

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: You had a Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata). These rather small (20-25cm or 8-10")snakes vary quite a bit in color from area to area and are found across much of eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada although their presence is quite spotty throughout their range. These are totally harmless snakes that feed on slugs, earthworms, and other soft-bodied animals. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( April 10, 2006)