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Brown Snake on the ground - keep snakes out of your yard with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Brown Snake

Actual Size: 10 to 21”

Characteristics: Small snakes that are usually brown, accented by paired rows of black spots, accompanied by a light stripe running along the spine. Young brown snakes may showcase yellowish neck-rings.

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats including forests, fields, marshes, and gardens. Also frequently found in residential areas, and are generally the most common snakes in urban environments.

Habits:

  • Spends most of their time underground or under trash piles and leaf litter.
  • Often referred to as “city snakes” because they thrive in urban areas.
  • Nonvenomous snakes that are frequently mistaken for copperhead snakes.
  • Females typically lay eggs or give birth to offspring in underground nests.

Brown Snakes in Central Arkansas

Unlike the venomous Australian brown snake, North American brown snakes do not possess venom and are considered harmless to humans. Their name reflects their appearance, with brown coloration accented by rows of dark spots and stripes running down their backs. Some species may also have patterns or markings that help camouflage them in their environment. Typically smaller in size, they rarely exceed 21 inches in length. However, mistaken identity with copperheads often leads to the unnecessary killing of brown snakes in suburban areas.

Brown Snakes Habitat

Found commonly in residential and urban areas, brown snakes exhibit a preference for hiding under trash rather than rocks, unlike many other snake species. Active mainly during the nighttime, they hibernate during the winter and are vulnerable to predation by birds of prey and larger snakes. Feeding primarily on slugs, snails, earthworms, grubs, and beetles, these elusive and timid snakes prefer to remain hidden. Most species of brown snakes are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. However, some species are viviparous, giving birth to live young. Females typically lay eggs or give birth to offspring in underground nests or other protected locations.

Brown Snakes Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

The brown snake poses no threat to humans. Frequently confused with the venomous copperhead, it is often killed upon sighting in suburban regions. However, these harmless snakes lack the distinct hourglass pattern characteristic of copperheads. They are generally secretive and shy, often being found hiding under rocks, logs, or debris, or burrowing underground. Beneficial in gardens, they almost exclusively prey on soft-bodied invertebrates like slugs and earthworms.

If you are having an issue with brown snakes on your property, it is best to consult a professional pest control company for removal.