Florida Brownsnake

The Florida Brownsnake is a small, harmless colubrid found throughout much of Florida and extreme southern Georgia. It is closely related to, and sometimes considered conspecific with, the widespread De Kay's Brownsnake found across much of the eastern United States.

This common and adaptable species is frequently encountered in urban and suburban settings, hiding under leaf litter, mulch, and debris in gardens and woodland edges, where it plays a role in controlling small invertebrate populations.

• Small, slender body with keeled scales
• Light brown to grayish-brown dorsal coloration with a pair of faint dark spots running down the back, sometimes connected by a lighter stripe
• Pale cream to pinkish belly, usually unmarked
• Small head, barely distinct from the neck; round pupils
• Distinguished from the closely related De Kay's Brownsnake mainly by range (peninsular Florida) and subtle scale characteristics

Common in a wide variety of habitats including pine flatwoods, hammocks, urban gardens, and suburban yards throughout Florida. Shelters under leaf litter, logs, mulch, and other surface debris, often close to human dwellings.

Secretive but tolerant of disturbed and urban habitats, often found under garden debris and landscaping materials. Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular. Feeds mainly on earthworms, slugs, and snails. Gives birth to live young in summer.