Dekay's Snake

Storeria dekayi, (Holbrook)

Colouration: Chestnut or grayish brown; a streak of paler tint on the back, bordered on each side with black dots. Which, on the tail, run together, forming two blackish lines. Abdomen pinkish white.
Dimensions: The largest specimen of DeKay's Snake examined measured 15 inches. The following measurements are of an adult of average size, captured in Westchester County, New York:
Distribution: The species is widely distributed and generally abundant. It occurs in southern Canada, and inhabits the entire United States east of the Rocky Mountains, whence it extends southward into Mexico.
Habits: Very secretive, this little snake usually passes the hours of light hiding among loose stones or under flat rocks, whence it sometimes ventures abroad late in the afternoon, and at such times may be seen crossing country roads. During the early spring it may frequently be found basking in the sunlight. It feeds largely upon earth worms and slugs, in fact the writer has never succeeded in inducing this species to eat anything else, although it is very probable that in a wild state it also feeds upon the smaller salamanders and the soft-bodied grubs of beetles. Although there has been much controversy to the opposite effect, a number of the smaller species of snakes are partially insectivorous in their habits. An examination of the stomachs of a number of very small specimens of the present species, disclosed the presence of various beetles that live under rocks and frequent similar situations as do these reptiles.

Size small-seldom exceeding twelve inches; body moderately stout, with heavily keeled scales. The eyes are large.

Colours of the young.-Newly born individuals are very minute. They are dark gray or black, with a ring of grayish-white around the neck. Their dark hue changes rapidly and during the warm months succeeding their first hibernation they acquire the brown of the adult form. Immediately after birth, a snake of this species resembles a young Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus), but may be distinguished by the keeled scales, which impart a dull, velvety lustre. A specimen twenty-four hours old measures 3 1/2 inches in length, and slightly less than an eighth of an inch in diameter at the thickest part of the body. The mother of this specimen was larger than the average adult, measuring fourteen inches in length.

From above, this little reptile looks much like the closely allied species-the Red-bellied Snake or Storer's Snake, but may be at once told by the colour of the abdomen as compared with the vermilion underside of the latter-named species. The bright abdominal colour of the Red-bellied Snake, however, soon fades to a pale yellow when that reptile has for a time been preserved in alcohol, causing it to closely resemble both above and beneath, the DeKay's Snake. Examined closely, a line of slaty gray will be seen to separate the pale tint of the abdomen from the brown of the sides. These gray bands, which when closely inspected will be found to be composed of minute and closely dusted specks of bluish-gray, are prominent on the greater number of specimens of Red-bellied Snakes and form a useful character in separating preserved specimens from those representing the DeKay's Snake which have no trace of such bands.

Total Length . . . . . 12 1/4 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 2 5/16 inches.

Diameter of Body . . . . . 5/16 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 1/4 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 3/8 inches.

Where other species of snakes have long been exterminated owing to their wandering habits, which lead them into the danger zone of stone and club, this diminutive reptile is yet abundant. Contented with remaining in a small patch of loose rocks or stubble where its food is always to be found, the DeKay's Snake yet exists in moderate numbers even within the limits of the large eastern cities, in parks and upon unimproved pieces of ground.

This snake is viviparous, giving birth to from twelve to twenty young, during the latter part of the summer. Some notes upon the breeding habits are appended:

July 28th. Brood of 15. Female from Westchester Co., N. Y.

" 31st. " " 18. " " Englewood, N. J.

August 5th. " " 12. " " Snake Hill, N. J.

" 8th. " " 15. " " Central Park, N. Y.