Redbelly Snakes
Storeria occipitomaculata

Family: Natricidae - Harmless Live-Bearing Snakes Typical Adult Size: 8 to 10 inches Reproduction: live bearing Eye Pupil: round Dorsal Scales: keeled Anal Scale: divided SC Range Map Additional Images

Redbelly Snakes are small brown or gray snakes of our woodlands. Average adult size is in the range of 8 to 10 inches. These snakes have bright red or orange bellies. Their backs may have four dark lines and/or a lighter midback stripe. They eat slugs, earthworms, and soft-bodied insects. They are live bearing (that is, the female retains the eggs within her body until time to hatch.)

There are two subspecies found is South Carolina. The Northern (occipitomaculata) subspecies may occur in pure form in the northwestern portion of the state. Throughout the remainder of the state, Redbellys are probable intergrades with the Florida (obscura) subspecies.