Harmless · North Carolina
Dekay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Small, common snake often found under boards, leaves, and yard debris.
At a glance
Size
Usually 9-15 inches.
North Carolina range
Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat
gardens, leaf litter, urban lots
Diet
Earthworms, slugs, snails, and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
Pattern
small spots
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Small gray or brown snake with paired dark spots and a lighter stripe down the back.
Where to look in North Carolina
Common statewide, including developed areas.
Gardens, urban lots, woodland edges, leaf litter, and areas beneath debris.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
