Each young snake is protected inside a thin, saclike membrane containing yolk for nourishment. Snakes that develop inside the female are normally born in mid to late summer. This is one of our smallest snakes. General color is graybrown or reddishbrown on top and bright red or orange below and the redbelly snake usually has a light tan stripe down the back. Redbelly snakes are secretive and normally live under rocks or logs in rocky or damp woods.
Food includes earthworms, slugs and, occasionally, insects.
Statewide except for several northwestern counties. The midland brown snake is a close relative of the redbelly snake. The general color is graybrown to reddishbrown, with a white or yellowish belly. This species prefers a moist environment and can be found under logs, boards or rocks near marshes, swamps, moist woods and, sometimes, rocky hillsides. Brown snakes eat earthworms, slugs and softbodied insects.