Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Nonforested Landscapes

      (Aspen (Any Size Class))
      or (Oak (Any Size Class))
      or (Assorted Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or (Hemlock (Any Size Class))
      or (Jack Pine (Any Size Class))
      or (Red Pine (Any Size Class))
      or (White Pine (Any Size Class))
      or (Mixed Upland Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or (Mixed Northern Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or (Mixed Pine (Any Size Class))
      or Grass
      or Upland Brush
      or Savanna
      or Fields/Pasture
      or Sedge Meadow
      or Bog
   containing:
      (Dead Down Woody Debris or Rock)

Habitat List:

view size class definitions

Literature:

The northern red-bellied snake can be encountered in a variety of habitats, including open woodland, meadows and abandoned farmland. It is often found under boards and debris in old dumps and trash piles.

Earthworms and slugs are favorite food.

Habitat: Moist woods, hillsides, sphagnum bogs, upland meadows, and valleys. Found under surface debris, also around abandoned buildings. Occurs at elevations from sea level to mountains. Prefers woodlands: pine, oak-hickory, aspen, hemlock groves. More frequently found in upland woody ridges. Occasionally found in damp meadows, marshy areas, swamp and bog edges.

Special Habitat Requirements: Woodlands

Habitat: Published accounts of the redbelly snake refer to the occurrence of the snake in almost any habitat. These include shoreline areas of ponds, lakes, and streams; cut-over areas and gravel pits; bog, swamp, and marsh edges; and open fields. Woodland is, however, the most commonly mentioned habitat type. It also seems to matter little whether the woodland is moist or dry. Within these habitats, the redbelly takes refuge under a wide variety of surface debris such as rocks, bark from fallen trees, boards, tarpaper, cardboard, and other assorted human rubbish.