Snakes in pool - Ask Extension
Do you know what kind these are?
Knowledgebase
Snakes in pool #809009
Asked September 01, 2022, 8:45 AM EDT
Do you know what kind these are?
Crawford County Georgia
Expert Response
Hello Ms. Carr,
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
The snake in your photos is the Brown Snake, scientific name Storeria dekayi. There are several subspecies of Brown Snake. Based on the location of your county, this is most likely the Midland Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi wrightorum. All of the Brown Snakes, regardless of their subspecies, are non-venomous.
The dark markings on the head and on the side of the face is characteristic of this species. Also, the row of two dots that go down the back are also characteristic of the Brown Snake.
The snake in your pool is an adult. Average length is 8 - 10 inches. Maximum length approaches 18 inches, but you rarely see them this long.
They are not aquatic snakes, but are usually found in woodland habitats, dry areas in swamps and wetland margins. They are also very adaptable to urban habitats, and are usually found under mulch and pine straw and large grass clumps. People often encounter them when they are raking out old mulch and pine straw in preparation for adding new ground covers around ornamental shrubs/trees and in flower beds. Your snake most likely fell into the pool by accident.
They feed primarily on earthworms and slugs, but they will also eat snails (they pull the snail out of the shell before eating it), small salamanders, spiders and a variety of insects.
This species rarely bites when handled. In many cases the mouth doesn't open wide enough to bite anything but your fingers. They will however, discharge a strong-smelling musk from their anal glands to discourage you from handling them. If you still have the snake, you can scoop it up in a bucket and dump it out into some pine straw or tall grass, and it will be fine.
I hope this answers your question, and thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
The snake in your photos is the Brown Snake, scientific name Storeria dekayi. There are several subspecies of Brown Snake. Based on the location of your county, this is most likely the Midland Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi wrightorum. All of the Brown Snakes, regardless of their subspecies, are non-venomous.
The dark markings on the head and on the side of the face is characteristic of this species. Also, the row of two dots that go down the back are also characteristic of the Brown Snake.
The snake in your pool is an adult. Average length is 8 - 10 inches. Maximum length approaches 18 inches, but you rarely see them this long.
They are not aquatic snakes, but are usually found in woodland habitats, dry areas in swamps and wetland margins. They are also very adaptable to urban habitats, and are usually found under mulch and pine straw and large grass clumps. People often encounter them when they are raking out old mulch and pine straw in preparation for adding new ground covers around ornamental shrubs/trees and in flower beds. Your snake most likely fell into the pool by accident.
They feed primarily on earthworms and slugs, but they will also eat snails (they pull the snail out of the shell before eating it), small salamanders, spiders and a variety of insects.
This species rarely bites when handled. In many cases the mouth doesn't open wide enough to bite anything but your fingers. They will however, discharge a strong-smelling musk from their anal glands to discourage you from handling them. If you still have the snake, you can scoop it up in a bucket and dump it out into some pine straw or tall grass, and it will be fine.
I hope this answers your question, and thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
