Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

Top of head, black. 2 rows of dark spots (sometimes obscure on dark specimens) along each side. Dorsal color cinnamon to near-black. Belly light orange grading to bright orange-red posteriorly. A row of black spots along each side of the ventral scutes. Scales keeled in 19 rows. Ovoviviparous. Neonates similar to adults

Unique Features:

A blackspot on each side of each belly scute will identify this snake. Flattens and spreads body when frightened

Habitat and Diet:

Secretive. Often beneath debris. Wet grasslands, marsh and swamp edges and shallows, even urban lots and yards Primarily feeds on worms and slugs.

Geographic Range:

KY, IL, IN, MI, MO, OH, PA