Off-Colored Visitor 30

A Northern Red-Bellied Snake that was hanging out in my yard. Also (incorrectly) known as the Red Bellied Black Snake. (Storeria occipitomaculata)
Mo Conservation Information on the species: mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fie…

Now I know you may be thinking, "Why do you call it a 'red-bellied black snake' when it's clearly brown and orange?" Well that's the reason for the name of this picture. Black with a red belly is the normal coloration, but they are known to have some variations in color. Typically it's dark gray or brown top or a reddish orange belly, often still fairly close to the black and red look. They are not in any way related to the deadly Australian Red Bellied Black Snake.

This is actually the most extreme that the color variation gets, which is why I wanted to take so many pictures.

And I figure these snake pictures will be great reference for drawing nagas and mythical reptiles.

Anyway....

I found him while cleaning up my yard. I saw him move and then tried to see where he went, only to find he hid under my foot! He got startled and musked me when I picked him up (No doubt he smelled my dogs and that had to scare him) But I washed my hands off and after a moment he realized I meant no harm and just kinda chilled.

I've had some of his kin show up in the area before, although not with quite such an extreme color variation. This one is clearly young, so probably the offspring of the others I've seen. I let him go once I finished my pictures (the last picture I post will show him leaving), and I made sure it was a bit of distance from the house so that the dogs won't come across him. I named him Jazz.