Northern redbelly snake


The northern redbelly snake is a nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae, a subspecies of Storeria occipitomaculata. It is sometimes referred to as a fire snake. It is endemic, North America and The Caribbean in some parts in Jamaica, and Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia in the north and south to Florida and Texas.

Description

Adults and young have known dorsal colorations of solid olive-brown, tan-brown, chestnut-brown, grey-brown, grey or even black. They have three yellow spots posterior to the head shields, to which the specific name occipitomaculata refers. The underside is coral-red to brick-red. Coloration is usually made up of three different shades forming a striped pattern. Like all species of the genus Storeria, redbelly snakes have keeled scales and no loreal scale. Some specimens have been found with three black dots on the top of the head. Adults grow to about in total length.

Habitat

They live in moist flowerbeds, gardens, and moist woodlands, such as borders between a forest and a wetland. They often rest under logs and rocks near a woods or forest.

Diet

They feed primarily on slugs and earthworms.

Reproduction

The northern redbelly snake gives birth to live young. Each newborn measures about in total length.

In captivity

They are known to live up to 4 years in captivity. Being nonvenomous, they can be safely held.