NON-VENOMOUS 

Other common names

Redbelly Snake

Basic description

Most adult Red-bellied Snakes are about 8-10 inches (20-26 cm) in total length. These snakes are small and thin, and their background color is gray to reddish brown with 1-5 stripes down the back. The head is black or dark brown, and there is a light collar around the neck. The belly is normally bright red. Juveniles are darker than adults and have a whitish band across back of the head.

small orange snake with brown stripes
Red-bellied snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist

Range in Florida

Red-bellied Snakes are found throughout the northern peninsula south to Pasco and Orange counties, and they occur west throughout the Panhandle.

Assessment of risk to people and pets

Non-venomous. Red-bellied Snakes 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: Red-bellied Snake - small orange snake with brown stripes
Ring-necked Snake showing belly pattern. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist

Rough Earthsnake (Haldea striatula) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Rough Earthsnake - brown snake coiled on a log. Image 2: Red-bellied Snake - small orange snake with brown stripes
Rough Earthsnake. Photo courtesy J.D. Wilson
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist

Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Dekay's Brownsnake - small brown snake on fiber. Image 2: Red-bellied Snake - small orange snake with brown stripes
Dekay’s Brownsnake. Photo courtesy mariapierce/iNaturalist
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist

Florida Brownsnake (Storeria victa) Non-venomous

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

Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae) Non-venomous

two images side by side - Image 1: Smooth Earthsnake - gray snake with light lines. Image 2: Red-bellied Snake - small orange snake with brown stripes
Smooth Earthsnake. Photo courtesy of cassiethegardener/iNaturalist
Red-bellied Snake. Photo courtesy of coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist

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 coluberconstrictor/iNaturalist/CC-BY 4.0 Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy.