Ohio is inhabited by a mixed population of Northern and Midland Brownsnakes. They are almost identical in coloration. Both have two rows of dark spots running down the back. On the Midland Brownsnake, these spots are connected by dark crossbands forming a ladder-like pattern. The Midland Brownsnake has 176 or more ventral and subcaudal scales; the Northern Brownsnake has 175 or fewer. Interbreeding between these subspecies occurs rather frequently, resulting in the intergrade brownsnake, Storeria dekayi dekayi x wrightorum, which may possess the combined characteristics of both parents. Brownsnakes never bite when captured. Their only real defense is the musk glands which they freely exercise when first captured. These common but secretive little snakes are often encountered hiding under stones, logs, old boards, and other such debris, where they feed extensively on snails, slugs, worms, and soft-bodied insects. LENGTH: 8”–12”
Text courtesy of the Ohio Division of Wildlife: https://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/id%20guides/pub354_Reptiles-opt.pdf
