Description

The Red-bellied Snake can be found in the southern half of Mississippi, as well as a portion in the northeast. The southern range includes the Florida Red-bellied Snake, while those in the northeast are considered northern red-bellied snakes. They are small (similarly sized to brown snakes), with light markings on the neck, and a red or orange belly. Coloration is variable, and dorsal colors may be brown, orange, or charcoal. Some individuals may look similar to S. dekayi. Adults are slightly smaller than brown snakes, and may grow to 8-10 inches (Powell et al., 2016). Sides of the head and neck are marked with dark blotches. They are found in open woodlands and boggy areas (Powell et al., 2016).

Identifying Traits

• Small brownish body with light markings around neck and red/orange (rarely blue-black) undersides

Subspecies Present:

Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)

​Florida Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata obscura)

Habitat

Woodlands and bogs

Behavior

These snakes can be highly variable in morphology. They are fossorial and generally secretive

Diet

Various invertebrates, earthworms and small insects