Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus • Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes, Family Colubridae, Subfamily Dipsadinae, Genus Diadophis, Species Diadophis punctatus
Widespread throughout North America, including most of the contiguous United States, southern Canada, and central Mexico.
Look up Ringneck Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes, Family Colubridae, Subfamily Dipsadinae, Genus Diadophis, Species Diadophis punctatus
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN Red List). Common and stable across most of its natural range.
Physical Description
Dark gray, brown, or black dorsal coloration with a distinctive complete or broken yellow, orange, or cream neck ring just behind the head. Small head, smooth scales, and a brightly colored yellow, orange, or red belly.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen shown is a juvenile approximately 3 to 5 inches (7-12 cm) long. Adults typically range from 10 to 15 inches (25-38 cm), up to a maximum of around 20 inches (50 cm).
Habitat
Moist woodlands, forest edges, grasslands, rocky hillsides, and suburban gardens; typically found under logs, rocks, leaf litter, or debris.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on small salamanders, earthworms, slugs, small frogs, and occasionally lizards or small snakes. Hunts by active foraging and overpowers prey with weak constriction or mild oral secretions.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay a clutch of 2 to 10 eggs in late spring or early summer in moist, rotting logs or soil, hatching in late summer.
Look-alikes
Can be confused with the Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) or Juvenile Black Racers (Coluber constrictor), but the distinct solid neck ring and smooth scales separate it from most look-alikes.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN Red List). Common and stable across most of its natural range.
Cultural Significance
Valuable biological control for garden pests like slugs and insect larvae; highly beneficial to local ecosystem health.
Notable Features
Features a prominent contrasting neck ring and smooth, glossy scales. Known for its tail-curling defensive display showing off a bright warning coloration.
Notes
Baby snake