Could you identify this snake?
Posted by Katharine Spigarelli on July 14, 2008
Q: This snake was found in my son's backyard. Could you tell us what it is?
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Missouri
Habitat: suburban/yard
|
A: This is a Midland Brown Snake. One of the most common snakes encountered in back yards throughout the eastern United States, the brown snake never gets very big, growing only up to 13 inches or so in length. They are brown, grayish-brown or tan on top with two rows of dark spots down the back. They usually exhibit a dark downward streak on the side of the head behind the eye, a dark spot below the eye and a dark blotch on each side of the neck. Often the color on the back between the rows of spots is lighter than the color on the sides, forming a light brown or beige stripe down the middle of the back.
Brown snakes are secretive and harmless, eating mostly earthworms, slugs and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
Hope this helps.
Solon Morse ( July 16, 2008)