NON-VENOMOUS

Other common names

Florida Brown Snake, Brown Snake

Basic description

Most adult Florida Brownsnakes are about 9-13 inches (23-33 cm) in total length. These snakes are small, thin, and may be tannish brown or rusty brown. Adults have a faint light stripe running down the middle of the back that is boarded on both sides by parallel rows of small black spots, which may be connected across the back. The upper lip scales are whitish except for a large dark marking under each eye. Juveniles are dark brown with a whitish band across back of head.

small brown snake with tan under neck
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.

Range in Florida

Florida Brownsnakes are found in peninsular Florida ranging south of the Suwannee River on the Gulf side diagonally northeast to Duval County on the east coast. It is found in the Upper Florida Keys, and an apparently isolated population exists on the Lower Keys.

Assessment of risk to people and pets

Non-venomous. Florida Brownsnakes are not dangerous to people or pets.

Comparison with other species

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctata) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Ring-necked snake - black snake coiled to show orange belly. Image 2: Florida Brownsnake - small brown snake with tan under neck
Ring-necked Snake showing belly pattern. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.

Rough Earthsnake (Haldea striatula) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Rough Earthsnake - brown snake coiled on a log. Image 2: Florida Brownsnake - small brown snake with tan under neck
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.

Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Dekay's Brownsnake - small brown snake on fiber. Image 2: Florida Brownsnake - small brown snake with tan under neck
Dekay’s Brownsnake. Photo courtesy mariapierce/iNaturalist
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.

Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Red-bellied Snake - small orange snake with brown stripes. Image 2: Florida Brownsnake - small brown snake with tan under neck
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.

Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Smooth Earthsnake - gray snake with light lines. Image 2: Florida Brownsnake - small brown snake with tan under neck
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist
Florida Brownsnake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.

Share your observations

You can help scientists better understand the biology and distribution of this species by sharing your observations. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist.

Additional helpful information

Do you have snakes around your house? Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes.

Still have questions about snakes or identifications? Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile.

Banner photo courtesy of Luke Smith. Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy.