The northern redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) is a nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae, a subspecies of Storeria occipitomaculata. It is native to North America.
Northern redbelly snake | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Storeria |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | S. o. occipitomaculata
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Trinomial name | |
Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata (Storer, 1839)
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Synonyms | |
S. o. occipitomaculata is found in the central and northeastern United States and in adjacent southeastern Canada.[1]
Adults and young of S. o. occipitomaculata have known dorsal colorations of solid olive-brown, tan-brown, chestnut-brown, grey-brown, grey or even black. They have three yellow spots posterior to the head shields,[2] to which the specific name occipitomaculata (meaning spotted back of the head) refers. The underside is coral-red to brick-red. Coloration is usually made up of three different shades forming a striped pattern. Like all species of the genus Storeria, the northern redbelly snake has keeled dorsal scales and no loreal scale.[3] Some specimens have been found with three black dots on the top of the head.[citation needed] Adults grow to 20–28 cm (7.9–11.0 in) in total length.[4]
The northern redbelly snake lives in moist flowerbeds, gardens, and moist woodlands, such as borders between forest and wetlands. It often rests under logs and rocks near a woods or forest.[5]
S. o. occipitomaculata preys primarily on slugs and earthworms.[3]
The northern redbelly snake gives birth to live young.[3] Each newborn measures about 7.1–11 centimetres (2.8–4.3 in) in total length.[6]
S. o. occipitomaculata is known to live up to four years in captivity.[citation needed] They will not attempt to bite when handled, but may curl back their upper "lip", and may emit musk from glands at the base of the tail.[4]