Marsh brown snake (Storeria dekayi limnetes)
Reported from the Houston, TX area on 12 March 2007

Photographs supplied by K. Kenerly 

This snake is about 12 inches long and about the diameter of a #2 pencil, and was found inside a residence, under a refuse bin. Notice that the tail, where it is particularly narrow, seems to have some fluff on it (and even appears to be damaged).  This is suggestive of late-stage ecdysis, or shedding of the skin, just prior to the actual shed.  The gently tapered tail indicates this is a male of the species, as the female in many, if not most, snake species, tends to display a noticeable narrowing of the tail at the vent, and a shorter tail past that anatomical feature.

The broad, pale, spinal stripe, edged with regularly spaced small dark spots, with another row of similar, but offset, spots on the snake's side, with the lateral scales between the spots edged in white, are all characteristic of Dekay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi). 

Storeria dekayi limnetes is distinguished from other subspecies by the fact that its labial (lip) scales have no markings, and a cheek scale just beyond the postocular scale has a horizontal dark streak. The Texas brown snake has prominent labial markings, the most prominent of all in the subocular scale just below the eye, lacks the streak in the scale beyond the postocular scale, and has a neck patch that extends from the spine to the belly scales, breaking from the dark patch on the dorsal head.  Note that the scale over the eye appears to have torn away, in preparation for a full shedding of the skin that will probably take place in the next few hours.

This species is harmless, inoffensive, and beneficial.  It subsists on a diet of slugs, snails, earthworms, and insect larvae.

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