Scientific Name: Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata
Size: 8-16 inches (20.3-40.6 cm) in length
PA Status: Abundant

Habitat Type:
Deciduous hardwood forest & upland regions, open canopy woodlands, wood/field borders, wood/stream borders, moist woodlands, open fields, marsh or bog borders. May be found under rocks, logs, bark, or other natural debris.

Colorations:
Adults:

• The coloration and patterns are highly variable.
• The dorsal background can range from light to dark brown, reddish brown, grey, or olive black.
• The dorsal has a mid vertebral stripe that may or may not be present. When it is present it is lighter than the background color and set off by alternating lines of white and dark spots.
• The dorsal coloration extends in to the ventrals.
• There are two rows of dark spots bordering the ventrals
• The ventral is red, orange, yellow, tan to  pink.
• The nape may have three small white spots.
• The skin between the scales is black.
• The head has one medial and two lateral cream to yellow colored spots.
• The head may be the same or slightly darker than the dorsal background.
• The throat and chin are white.

Juveniles:

• Similar to adults.

Characteristics:

• Small, stout species.
• Dorsal scales are keeled.

Scale Counts:

• 15 scale rows at midbody, anterior and posterior
• 107-136 ventral scales
• 34-63 subcaudals scales | 2 rows of subcaudals
• 2 nasal scales
• 0 loreal scales
• 2 preocular scales
• 2 postoculars scales
• 1 + 2 temporal scales
• 6 supralabials
• 7 infralabials
• Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

• Ringneck
• Earth Snake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Juveniles:

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 324-327pp.
• Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 332-337pp.

Photo Credits:

• Bob Hamilton
• Dave Emma
• Kyle Loucks
• Bob Bull
• Rex Everett