ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Midland Brown Snake

 Midland Brown Snake


midland brown snake


Ohio is inhabited by a mixed population of Northern and midland brown snakes. Interbreeding between these subspecies occurs rather frequently, resulting in the intergrade brown snake, Storerian dekayi dekayi x wrightorum, which may possess the combined characteristics of both parents.
 

Midland Bown Snake
Storeria dekayi wrightorum

At-a-Glance

Length: 9 - 13 inches

Number of offspring : 3-31

Typical Foods: earthworms, snails, and slugs


Description
The Northern and midland brown snakes are almost identical in coloration. Both have two rows of dark sports running down the back. On the midland brown snake, these spots are connected by dark crossbands. The midland brown snake has 176 or more ventral and subcaudal scales; the Northern brown snake has 175 or fewer.

Habitat and Habits
Brown snakes never bite when captured. Their only real defense is the musk glands which they freely exercise when first captured. These common but secretive little snakes are often encountered hiding under stones, logs, old boards, and other such debris, where they feed extensively on snails, slugs, worms, and soft-bodied insects.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
These snakes do not lay eggs. When the young are born in the summer, there is no parental care involved.