Ringneck Snake

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a small, harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, as well as south in Central Mexico and as far north as Quebec, Canada. Ring-necked snakes are generally fossorial and somewhat secretive, by nature, and, as a nocturnal species, are rarely seen during the daytime. These snakes are believed to be fairly abundant throughout most of their range, though no scientific evaluation supports this hypothesis. Scientific research is lacking for the species, despite their apparently common status, and more in-depth investigations are greatly needed. It is the only species within the genus Diadophis and, currently, 14 subspecies are identified, though many herpetologists question the morphologically based classifications.

Source: Wikipedia — Ring-necked snake · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small slender dark gray-to-black snake with distinct orange or yellow neck ring; bright orange-to-red belly (often with central row of small black dots).

Similar species. Worm Snake (no ring). Brown Snake (lighter brown). Pine Snake juveniles (different pattern).

Voice. N/A; release foul musk if handled.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small invertebrates (earthworms, slugs, beetles), small salamanders, small lizards, small snakes. Has rear-facing fangs and mild venom for subduing prey.

Behavior. Among the most common but rarely-seen US snakes. Secretive and largely fossorial — spends most of life under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. When threatened, coils its tail to display the bright underside (orange to red, often nearly fluorescent) — an aposematic warning resembling toxic species. Forms communal aggregations of 100+ individuals at hibernacula. Mild venom is not medically significant to humans.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Forests, gardens, under rocks

§ Threats

Habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the ringneck snake is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Don't kill snakes.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Ring-necked snake
• www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Diadophis punctatus
• IUCN Red List · taxon 63791
• iNaturalist · taxon 29488
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Diadophis punctatus

§ Sources cited

• Davidson College Department of Biology
• Virginia Herpetological Society
• iNaturalist
• IUCN Red List 2007