Additional geographic records of Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeriadekayi) in Nebraska, including a late seasonal observation and likelyrange expansion

Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) occurs across much of eastern North America, inhabiting diverse environments such as marshes, woodlands, woodland edges, and urban areas. In Nebraska, recent studies documented its presence beyond the extreme southeastern region of the state, indicating a potential range expansion to the west and north. Our study continues to update its distribution with four additional county records. Two counties, Franklin and Harlan, represent the farthest west observations for Dekay’s Brownsnake in the state, further indicating a likely westward expansion. An observation from 6 December 2023 also represents the latest seasonal observation in the state. Despite being listed as vulnerable in Nebraska, our data suggested a widespread presence and greater abundance than originally inferred by the Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, which we find prompts a reevaluation of its current conservation status. Most of our observations coincided with fall migratory movements towards hibernacula, with individuals observed on roadways late in afternoons on warm autumn days. Proliferation of trees along prairie rivers and in upland habitats in the region likely has influenced the distribution and/or the abundance of this species. Continued research is needed for informed conservation assessments and for monitoring further potential distributional shifts by Dekay’s Brownsnake in Nebraska.