Northern Red-bellied Snake
(Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
| Photos by Victor Young | |
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NH Conservation Status: Not listed
State Rank Status: Widespread and secure
Distribution: Found throughout NH
Description: A small snake measuring 8-10 inches, brown or gray body surface and a plain red belly. May or may not have 3 white nape spots.
Commonly Confused Species: Garter snakes, ringneck snakes. Young may be confused with brown snakes.
Habitat: Found in a variety of areas including moist or dry woodlands, upland fields, shorelines, swamps, and sphagnum bogs. Redbelly snakes use a variety of cover objects including woody debris, rocks, and human trash and debris piles. Eats mostly slugs and snails.
Life History: Gives birth to
live young during late summer and fall. Hibernates underground in
holes or abandoned anthills.
Conservation Threats: Species is secure.
Distribution map: Click here for a map showing the towns where this species is reported to occur in NH
