Range extension for DeKay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) in south-central Nebraska

Abstract

In Nebraska, Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) generally occurs in southeastern parts of the state, where the species was known from 16 counties. Herein, we update the distribution of S. dekayi in the state and briefly comment on habitat and abundance from observations in September and October 2018. We documented 7 new county records that extend its distribution in southcentral Nebraska. We observed that S. dekayi does not only reside in mesic wooded habitats in Nebraska but also occupies open environments, including areas with upland grasslands and row-crop agriculture. Dekay’s Brownsnake currently is listed as a species of concern in Nebraska. Our limited data do not support that S. dekayi needs protection in Nebraska, as the species occurs over a much larger area of the state than previously known and was the most common species observed along roadways in autumn 2018.