S. o. occipitomaculata is found in the central and northeastern United States and in adjacent southeastern Canada.

[2] Adults and young of S. o. occipitomaculata have known dorsal colorations of solid olive-brown, tan-brown, chestnut-brown, grey-brown, grey or even black.

[6] Redbelly snakes are known to occur in wet meadows, woodlands, and forest-meadow edge habitats.

[4] The habitat they are found in supports slugs, snails, earthworms, and insect larvae, which are thought to make up the majority of the diet of redbelly snakes.

[citation needed] They will not attempt to bite when handled, but may curl back their upper "lip", and may emit musk from glands at the base of the tail.