Snake
Posted by Ellie Hyde on April 22, 2006
Q: I just found a small (12" pencil thin) snake just inside my garage door. It was med. brown, with a red belly. Is it a northern red belly?
I live in NE Pa.
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Pennsylvania
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: It does sound as though you saw a Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata). You didn't mention any marks behind its neck but also didn't say there was a ring around its neck either so it probably wasn't a Ringneck Snake. Redbelly snakes usually have a couple of spots just behind the head on the upper side of the snake. Redbelly snakes can vary a fair amount in color so this can throw you off on identification too. Nice snake! Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( April 24, 2006)