Florida Brown Snake: (Storeria Victa)
Florida brown snakes (storeria victa); more commonly known as the brown snake. It is also known to have other scientific names such as storeria dekayi victa, storeria dekayi, storeria tropica, tropidonatus dekayi, tropidonotus dekayi and ischnognathus dekayi. The Florida brown snake belongs to the colubridae family. Florida brown snakes average in size between 7 to 10 inches long, with the record being 19 inches long.
Florida brown snakes are small and have slender bodies. Their color patterns consist of a rusty – brown or grayish color with faint striping dark spots on its side and a light band across the back of its head. Their heads are oval shaped and their pupils are round. They also have a dark spot on their upper lip scales under their eyes. Their bellies are a pinkish or tannish color with black spots on the edges.
Florida brown snakes are found throughout Florida including the Keys. Although their population is rapidly declining in the upper Keys and are a threatened species only in the upper Keys. Florida brown snakes inhabit areas such as hardwood hammocks, wetlands, swamps and pine rock lands, any environment near bodies of water.
Florida brown snakes are carnivores. Their primarily diet consists of snails, earthworms, slugs, frogs, salamanders and small fish, however they are opportunistic hunters and will consume anything it can.
Florida brown snakes are nocturnal. Florida brown snakes have been seen at dusk and late evening hours, however they are active during the day hiding under logs, piles of rocks and dense vegetation. They are timid, shy and not aggressive towards humans in fact they rather hide then confront a human. Florida brown snakes are terrestrial burrowers, preferring to burrow in the ground than slither around on the ground surface. In the winter months, when the temperatures are extremely cold the Florida brown snake will go into hibernation, as they are cold blooded species and can not generate their own body temperature. Florida brown snakes are completely harmless to humans, although their bite may be harmless, there is always a risk of a bacterial infection.
