Snake in backyard in Oklahoma City - Ask Extension
Can you identify this snake I caught and relocated from my backyard and released it safely elsewhere.
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Snake in backyard in Oklahoma City #550146
Asked March 31, 2019, 5:28 PM EDT
Can you identify this snake I caught and relocated from my backyard and released it safely elsewhere.
Oklahoma County Oklahoma
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. The snake in your photograph is a Texas Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi texana). It is a non-venomous species.
Typical adult length ranges from 9 to 13 inches, but can reach a maximum length of approximately 18 inches. They are found in a variety of habitats, including pine/oak mixed forests, pine forests, grasslands, juniper brakes and thorn scrubs. They are also quite adaptable to urban environments. They are usually found in damp, shaded habitat that has sufficient ground cover for them to hide and hunt for their primary foods, earthworms, slugs and snails. Here in North Carolina, I usually get several calls in the spring when people are raking out their old mulch or pine straw and find this species concealed beneath the ground cover.
This snake generally doesn't bite when handled, but may flatten its body to make itself appear larger. They also sometimes discharge a strong musk from their anal glands.
An excellent field guide you may want to consider is:
Dixon, James R. and Werler, John E. (2005). Texas Snakes: A Field Guide. Austin: University of Texas Press
I hope this answers your question and thank you for contacting Ask an Expert.
Jim
Typical adult length ranges from 9 to 13 inches, but can reach a maximum length of approximately 18 inches. They are found in a variety of habitats, including pine/oak mixed forests, pine forests, grasslands, juniper brakes and thorn scrubs. They are also quite adaptable to urban environments. They are usually found in damp, shaded habitat that has sufficient ground cover for them to hide and hunt for their primary foods, earthworms, slugs and snails. Here in North Carolina, I usually get several calls in the spring when people are raking out their old mulch or pine straw and find this species concealed beneath the ground cover.
This snake generally doesn't bite when handled, but may flatten its body to make itself appear larger. They also sometimes discharge a strong musk from their anal glands.
An excellent field guide you may want to consider is:
Dixon, James R. and Werler, John E. (2005). Texas Snakes: A Field Guide. Austin: University of Texas Press
I hope this answers your question and thank you for contacting Ask an Expert.
Jim
