Field Guide to Maryland's Snakes (Order Squamata)
Sub-order Serpentes, Family Colubridae
Northern Red-bellied Snake
Storeria o. occipitomaculata
Photo of Adult Northern Red-bellied Snake courtesy of Mark Tegges
8 - 10 inches. Record - 16 inches.
Photo of Adult Northern Red-bellied Snake courtesy of John White
Any open forests, old fields, the edges of freshwater wetlands and sphagnum bogs. Found in dry to wet habitats.
How to Find
A secretive nocturnal species. Look under coarse woody debris and trash on field-woodland and wetland edges. This is a non-venomous species that is gentle when handled.
Photo of Habitat for Northern Red-bellied Snake courtesy of Jay Kilian
Distribution in Maryland
Irregular distribution throughout the state; uncommon on the Coastal Plain.
- Discover Maryland's Herps
- Maryland Herp History
- Maryland Herp Checklist
- Survey Techniques, Collecting Ethics, Safety and the Law
- Problems with Buying Frogs and Tadpoles for Wild Release
- Technical Guide: A Key to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Maryland - 86.3 MB pdf file
- Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA) Project
- Natural Heritage Program
- Wildlife & Heritage Home
"A Joint Project of the Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources"
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The Maryland Herpetology Field Guide is a cooperative effort of the MD Natural Heritage Program and the MD Biological Stream Survey within the Department of Natural Resources and their partners. We wish to thank all who contributed field records, text, and photographs, as well as support throughout its development.