The Dekay's brownsnake, Storeria dekay, is a shy non-venomous species of snake native to North America and Central America. These slender snakes rarely exceed a foot in length, averaging just 3 inches at birth. They come in various shades of brown, with keeled (ridged) scales, two parallel rows of black spots down their backs—bordering a lighter stripe—and thin dark lines behind and below each eye. Some juveniles also have a cream-colored collar around their necks similar to ring-necked snakes. Being a viviparous species of snake, Dekay’s brownsnakes give birth to live young who begin their independent lives as soon as they are born. These snakes rely on small prey to survive including earthworms, slugs, and even snails which they can remove from their shells using specialized jaws. Due to their size, they find themselves falling prey to a large variety of animals including larger snakes, frogs, toads, birds, and small mammals. At Glenstone these snakes are often seen basking on the gravel paths—especially from Spring through early Fall—so watch your step!