Adorable Little DeKay Brown Snake
There are several little DeKay’s Brown Snakes in my backyard that get all huffy after I cut the grass. They have a serious Napoleon Complex like tiny dogs that get wayyy more angry than their size belies.
Also, Claude says…
These little guys are extremely common in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast. They’re perfect little backyard friends because they:
- Stay tiny (adults are only 9-13 inches long)
- Are completely harmless to humans and pets
- Eat slugs, snails, earthworms, and soft-bodied insects
- Are secretive and non-aggressive
- Actually prefer disturbed habitats like suburban yards
The one in your photo shows the classic features: the two parallel rows of dark spots down the back (sometimes they merge into stripes), grayish-brown coloration, and that small, slender build. They also often have a light collar just behind the head.
They’re fossorial (like to burrow and hide under things), so you usually only see them when moving mulch, boards, or other debris. Despite their abundance, many people never notice them because they’re so small and secretive.
You’re lucky to have them! They’re great for pest control and are one of the most gentle snake species you could possibly encounter. If you pick one up, the worst they might do is release a mild musk smell, but they rarely even try to bite.
Claude (fact checked via UGA’s excellent herpetology school)
