Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Dipsadinae, Genus: Diadophis, Species: Diadophis punctatus
Found throughout much of North America, including southern Canada, the continental United States, and central Mexico.
Look up Ring-necked Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Mildly venomous (opisthoglyphous / rear-fanged); they possess a Duvernoy's gland.
Danger Level
Harmless; they are very small, reluctant to bite, and their venom delivery system is ineffective against humans.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Dipsadinae, Genus: Diadophis, Species: Diadophis punctatus
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. They are common and widespread, though local populations can be affected by habitat destruction.
Physical Description
A small snake with smooth scales and a slender body. Dorsal color is typically bluish-gray to black. The most diagnostic feature is a distinct yellow, orange, or cream-colored ring around the neck. The belly is usually bright yellow, orange, or red, often with black crescents.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be an adult, approximately 25-35 cm in length. The species typically ranges from 25 to 38 cm (10-15 inches), with a record length of about 46 cm.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of habitats including moist forests, open woodlands, rocky hillsides, and grassland edges. They are primarily fossorial or secretive, living under logs, rocks, and leaf litter.
Behavior & Temperament
Very secretive and primarily nocturnal or crepuscular. When threatened, they engage in a unique defensive display by curling their tail to expose the bright warning colors of their underside (aposematism).
Diet & Feeding
Small salamanders, earthworms, slugs, frogs, and occasionally small lizards or other snakes. They use a combination of constriction and mild venom to secure prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 3 to 10 eggs in early summer in communal nesting sites. Eggs hatch in late summer or autumn.
Venom Profile
Weakly toxic saliva used to subdue small prey like amphibians and earthworms; not considered medically significant to humans.
Look-alikes
Could be confused with young North American Racers (Coluber constrictor) or DeKay's Brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi), but the distinct light-colored neck ring and smooth scales are diagnostic for Diadophis.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. They are common and widespread, though local populations can be affected by habitat destruction.
Cultural Significance
Important ecological role as mid-level predators, helping control populations of invertebrates and small amphibians. Frequently encountered by gardeners and hikers due to their wide range.
Notable Features
Known for the 'thimble' tail-curling display which serves as a startle tactic against predators. It is the only species in the genus Diadophis, though it has numerous subspecies with varying belly patterns.