Brown snakes are eaten by large frogs and toads, larger snakes, American crows, hawks, shrews, weasels, blue jays, and domestic cats. When these snakes feel threatened they flatten their bodies to appear larger and place their bodies in an aggressive posture. They will also smear their attacker with a foul-smelling musk that they exude from their cloaca.
Known Predators:
The brown snake is a fairly small snake that rarely exceeds 15 inches in length (Ditmars 1936). It has a stout body with large eyes and heavily keeled scales (Collins 1987). Storeria dekayi is typically found to be a grayish brown color with a lighter streak on its back that is bordered on each side with black dots. The belly of the brown snake is a pinkish white color. Typically there are 17 scale rows at midbody and the anal plate is divided (Harding 1997). Males and females generally look the same, but males tend to have longer tails (Harding 1997). There are several other subspecies of Storeria dekayi that look slightly different, but there is no textual evidence of any seasonal variation. Young brown snakes are small, about 3 1/2 inches long on average and are black or dark gray in color (Simon 1979). A distinguishing characteristic of the young is a light grayish white colored ring found around the neck. At this age they are sometimes confused with ring necked snakes, but are distinguished by their keeled scales (Ditmars 1936).
Range length: 23.0 to 52.7 cm.
Other Physical Features: heterothermic
Sexual Dimorphism: female larger; sexes shaped differently
Little is known of Brown Snake lifespans in the wild, but a captive individual lived to be 7 years old. Wild Brown Snakes may approach this lifespan in the wild, though many young die before becoming mature.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 7.0 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 7 years.
Brown Snakes communicate with each other primarily through touch and smell. They use their forked tongues to collect chemicals from the air and insert these forks into a special organ in the roof of their mouth, which interprets these chemical signals. Because Brown Snakes hunt mostly underground and at night, they probably use almost exclusively their sense of smell to find prey. Snakes are also sensitive to vibrations and have reasonably good vision.
This is a fairly common species, but it does face threats such as exposure to pollution and destruction of rural and urban habitats (Harding 1997). No known efforts are being made to ensure viable populations for the future.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
These little snakes may benefit humans by controlling slug damage in gardens (Harding 1997). No other known benefits have been found.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
Brown Snakes help to control populations of snails, slugs, and earthworms. They also serve as a valuable food supply for their predators.
Brown snakes feed largely on earthworms, snails, and slugs, but will also eat small salamanders, soft-bodied grubs, and beetles. They have specialized teeth and jaws that allow them to pull snails out of their shells and eat them.
Animal Foods: amphibians; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; mollusks; terrestrial worms
Primary Diet: carnivore (Molluscivore , Vermivore)
Storeria dekayi is an abundant snake that is widely distributed.
It is found in southern Canada, in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, and in the northern portions of Mexico (Ditmars 1936).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
This is a snake that is still fairly abundant. The reason for this can be mostly attributed to its smaller size and broad habitat preferences. Brown snakes are typically found hiding among loose stones or flat rocks that are found in the wild and in large cities (Ditmars 1936). These snakes will spend most of their life under the ground, but during heavy rains they will sometimes go out into the open (Harding 1997). This usually occurs in October - November and during late March - April when they are moving to or from hibernation spots (Harding 1997). Sometimes these hibernation spots will be shared with other snakes such as garter snakes, red-bellied snakes, and smooth green snakes (Harding 1997).
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest
Wetlands: marsh
Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban
Mating System: polygynous
The brown snake is viviparous, and gives birth to 12 - 20 young (Ditmars 1936). This occurs during the later parts of the summer around late July to early August (Ditmars 1936). After the young are born there is no parental care involved, but sometimes young brown snakes will stay close with the parent (Harding 1997). Brown snakes reach sexual maturity by the end of their second summer, usually by this time they have doubled in
length (Harding 1997).
Breeding interval: Brown Snakes breed once yearly.
Breeding season: Brown Snakes give birth to their young in late summer.
Range number of offspring: 3.0 to 41.0.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2.0 years.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2.0 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); ovoviviparous
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.
The young are nourished within their mother's body while they develop. Once the young are born there is no further parental care, but sometimes young Brown Snakes will stay near their mother.
Parental Investment: precocial ; female parental care
Storeria dekayi, commonly known as De Kay's brown snake, De Kay's snake, and simply the brown snake (along with many others), is a small non-venomous species of snake in the family Colubridae.[3][4] The species is native to North America and Central America.
S. dekayi is native to Southern Ontario and Quebec, most of the eastern half of the United States, through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and possibly El Salvador.[1][2] More specifically, this common species inhabits most wetland and terrestrial habitats east of the Great Plains from sea level to 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level. [5]
Dorsally, S. dekayi is brown to gray with a lighter center stripe bordered by small black spots; ventrally, it is lighter brown or pink with small black dots at the ends of the ventral scales.[6] Adults usually measure less than 12 inches (30 cm) in total length (including tail), but the record total length is 19+3⁄8 inches (49 cm).[7] The dorsal scales are keeled, and it has no loreal scale.[8] Females exceed males in snout-vent length and number of ventral scales while males exceed females in tail length, head dimensions, and number of subcaudal scales.[9]
S. dekayi is surprisingly a lover of urban areas, and tends to frequent cities more often than the countryside. They can, of course, be found in areas such as wetlands, grasslands and forests, but they are most commonly encountered where humans are found.[10] Moist areas are preferable habitats for them, which makes sense when you consider their favorite prey items.[11]
Like other natricine snakes such as water snakes (genus Nerodia) and garter snakes (genus Thamnophis), S. dekayi is a viviparous species, giving birth to live young.[12] Sexual maturity is reached at two to three years. Mating takes place in the spring, after snakes emerge from brumation. Between 3 and 41 young are born in late summer.[13]
S. dekayi primarily feeds on slugs, snails, and earthworms.[14][15][16] In the southern extent of its region the snake usually preys predominantly on earthworms, however, in the northern reaches of its range slugs are the predominant food source.[15] It has specialized jaws that allow it to remove snails from their shells for consumption.[13] Reports of other invertebrates (such as woodlice, mites, or millipedes) in the diet of S. dekayi are more than likely the result of accidental ingestion rather than intentional feeding, in which one of these invertebrates may have adhered to a slug or other prey item being consumed.[17]
S. dekayi is a prey item for larger snakes, large frogs and toads, birds, and many mammals including weasels and invasive housecats.[18] An observed predator avoidance mechanism is coiling the anterior portion of the body and swaying it side to side as they attempt to flee.[19] In addition to this, they release a foul musk when threatened.[11] They are shy, secretive snakes, that are rare to find out in the open. Usually, these will be found hiding under rocks or logs for safety and comfort. They will also occasionally burrow. Their most active period is from about March 13 and October 20, but can be found year-round.
The specific name, dekayi, is in honor of American zoologist James Ellsworth De Kay (1792–1851), who collected the first specimen on Long Island, New York, while the generic name, Storeria, honors zoologist David Humphreys Storer.[20][21] However, originally, it was named Coluber dekayi.
This is the only North American snake whose binomial is a double honorific – that is, both the generic name and the specific name honor people.
Storeria dekayi, commonly known as De Kay's brown snake, De Kay's snake, and simply the brown snake (along with many others), is a small non-venomous species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to North America and Central America.
La culebra parda de Kay[3] (Storeria dekayi) es una especie de serpiente que pertenece a la familia Natricidae.[2] Es nativa de Canadá, Estados Unidos, México, Guatemala, y Honduras.[1] Está presente en una gran variedad de hábitats.[1]
Se reconocen las siguientes subespecies:[2]
La culebra parda de Kay (Storeria dekayi) es una especie de serpiente que pertenece a la familia Natricidae. Es nativa de Canadá, Estados Unidos, México, Guatemala, y Honduras. Está presente en una gran variedad de hábitats.
Storeria dekayi Storeria generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Natricidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Storeria dekayi Storeria generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Natricidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Storeria dekayi
Storeria dekayi, la Couleuvre brune, est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Natricidae[1].
Cette espèce se rencontre dans l'Est de l'Amérique du Nord[1] :
Sa présence au Belize est incertaine.
Elle est de couleur brune tirant parfois sur le gris. Sur son dos, il y a deux rangées de taches noires. Il peut arriver que ces taches soient si rapprochées qu'elles forment une ligne. Le ventre est soit rose, soit jaune pâle. Sa taille se situe entre 23 et 33 cm.
C'est la plus rare des couleuvres du Québec, on la retrouve presque exclusivement dans la région montréalaise.
La couleuvre brune se nourrit de vers de terre et de limaces.
La couleuvre brune possède des écailles carénées et une plaque anale divisée. Cette espèce est ovovivipare et donne naissance à environ quatorze petits.
La sous-espèce Storeria dekayi victa[2] a été élevée au rang d'espèce par Pyron, Hsieh, Lemmon, Lemmon et Hendry en 2016[3], dans le même temps les sous-espèces Storeria dekayi anomala[4], Storeria dekayi limnetes[5], Storeria dekayi temporalineata[6], Storeria dekayi texana[6], Storeria dekayi tropica[7] et Storeria dekayi wrightorum[6] ont été placées en synonymies avec Storeria dekayi.
Cette espèce est nommée en l'honneur du zoologiste américain James Ellsworth De Kay (1792-1851)[8].
Storeria dekayi
Storeria dekayi, la Couleuvre brune, est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Natricidae.
Storeria dekayi là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Holbrook mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1839.[3]
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Bài viết liên quan họ Rắn nước này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Storeria dekayi là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Holbrook mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1839.
Least Concern 分類 界 : 動物界 Animalia 門 : 脊索動物門 Chordata 亜門 : 脊椎動物亜門 Vertebrata 綱 : 爬虫綱 Reptilia 亜目 : ヘビ亜目 Serpentes 科 : ユウダ科 Natricidae 属 : ブラウンヘビ属 Storeria 種 : ストレリア・デカイ S. dekayi[2] 学名 Storeria dekayiストレリア・デカイ (Storeria dekayi) は、ユウダ科に属するヘビの1種[2]。デカイヘビとも呼ばれる。
ほとんどの場合で体長15in (38cm) を超えない、最大でも20.75in (52.7cm) の小型のヘビである。特徴は大きな目と荒いキールド・スケール（英語版）である。鱗の色は背中側が全体的に茶色、腹の側がピンクがかった白色であるが、脊椎に当たる部分は直線状にやや灰色がかった色をしており、側面には黒い点が連続的に並んでいる。一般に雄と雌の区別はし難いが、雄の方が若干尾が長い傾向にある。若い個体は3.5in (8.9cm) と小型で、色は黒や濃い灰色をしている。時々、首の部分に灰色がかった白色の環があり、その特徴から "Ring-neck Snake" と呼称される Diadophis punctatus と混同される事があるが、キールド・スケールが異なる。ただし、これらの特徴はそれぞれの生息地における亜種の間でやや異なる[4]。
いわゆる北米地域である、アメリカ合衆国、カナダ、メキシコ、ホンジュラス、グアテマラに分布している。アメリカ合衆国とカナダでは東に生息しており、西側では確認されていない。陸生のヘビであり、都市を含む大半の陸地と湿地帯で生息している。メキシコでは雲霧林や熱帯落葉林に生息している。その数は非常に莫大であり、個体群や亜種群の数は安定していて、絶滅は心配されていない。レッドリストでは2007年に最も下のランクである軽度懸念に分類されている[1]。
大抵は湿った環境を好むが、水生生物ではない。大抵は砂や岩、丸太の下におり、フロリダ州ではしばしばホテイアオイの下に生息している。都市部ではビルなどの構造物や地下に生息している[1]。地面の下からあまり出てくる事はないが、大雨の時には外に出てくる[4]。毒は持っていない[5]。
主な捕食対象はミミズ、カタツムリ、ナメクジであり、時々カブトムシの幼虫や小さなサンショウウオを食べる。カタツムリは殻から軟らかい本体を引きずり出して食べている。主に地下や夜に捕食行動を行うので、あまり視覚には頼らず匂いや振動で周りを知覚している。逆に、ストレリア・デカイを捕食対象としているのは大型のヘビ、カエル、トガリネズミ、イタチ、ネコ、アオカケス、アメリカガラス、タカであり、それら捕食者の重要な食糧源となっている。ストレリア・デカイが捕食者に遭遇したときは、頭を持ち上げて自らを大きな動物であると威嚇したり、排泄腔から悪臭を放って撃退する行動をとる[4]。
雌雄共に、誕生から2年程度で性成熟する。繁殖は1年に1度行われ、雄は複数の雌と交尾を行う。胎生であり、多くは一度に12から20の子供を産む。産まれる時期は7月から8月上旬にかけての夏の終わりから秋にかけてである。基本的に産まれた子供に対して親が世話をする事はないが、子供が親に連れ添って行動する事がある。寿命は7年程度である[4]。
学名 "Storeria dekayi" の属名 "Storeria" は David Humphreys Storer 、種小名 "dekayi" は James Ellsworth De Kay に対する献名となっている。北米では一般的な種であるため、その体表の色から一般的に "Brown Snake" と呼ばれている[1]。ただし、Brown Snake と呼称されるヘビは他にも多数の種がいる。また、種小名に因み " Dekay's snake" とも呼ばれる[5]。正式な和名は決定しておらず、一部の一般向け書籍では「デカイヘビ」と呼称されているが、これは「デカイ」の語感が与えるイメージと実際の大きさのギャップを示した文脈で扱われている[6][7]。
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