Florida Brownsnake

Scientific Name: Storeria dekayi victas

Also Known As: Florida Brown Snake

Range: All of Florida except the Panhandle

Diet: Soft-Bodied Invertabrates, Lizards, Tree Frogs

Life Expectancy: 7 Years

Photo 38382250 © Janson Jones, CC BY-NC

Eastern Coral Snake conservation status - Least Concern

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Appearance and Identification
Habits and Behavior

Habitat and Range
Diet

Signs and Preventing

This Snake is Not Venomous

Florida Brownsnakes in Central Florida

The Florida Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi victa) is a small, nonvenomous colubrid snake native to Florida. Often confused with the redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), the Florida Brownsnake can be identified by its brown dorsal scales, faint lateral stripes, and reddish-orange belly. This adaptable snake thrives in urban and suburban habitats across central Florida. Read on to learn about the biology, behavior, habitat, and identification of the Florida Brownsnake, along with tips for coexistence and prevention of accidental encounters.

Appearance and Identification

The Florida Brownsnake can be distinguished from look-alike species by the following characteristics

Adult Florida Brownsnake

Size: Adults average 10-14 inches (25-36 cm) long. The record length is 20 inches (51 cm).
Color: Adults are various shades of brown, tan or gray dorsally with two faint darker stripes on the sides. The belly is yellowish to pinkish.
Scales: There are 15-17 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The anal plate is divided.
Head: The adult head is narrow with a pointed snout ending in a rounded jaw. The large eyes have round pupils.

Juvenile Florida Brownsnake

Size: Hatchlings measure around 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. They reach 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) as juveniles before their first winter dormancy.