Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Characteristics 5
The Ringneck Snake is small, ranging in size from 20 to 76cm (8 to 30in).
Specimens from northern Idaho have an orange ring around the neck, this ring is not present in specimens from the Southern part of the state. Dorsal color is grey, ventral color is cream on the body and orange on the tail.The scales are smooth to the touch.
Coloration: 6
Called "ring-necked" because of light colored (cream) collar just behind the head.
Entire dorsal surface, save light collar, is a plain olive or gray color.
Belly is yellow or orange, with color intensity highest on the underside of the tail (caudal scales), which is often brick red or orange.
Behavior: 6
Diadophis punctatus are not dangerous to humans, being too small to bite a person and are not known to even try when handled. They are venomous to their prey, however, as they are able to introduce venomous secretions into their prey by chewing on the prey item. Prey items are typically reptilian, either small snakes or lizards, but insects and earthworms are also eaten. In areas of abundant salamanders, they too are consumed by ring-necked snakes.
Habitat: 6
The ring-necked snake is an attractive olive colored snake often found seeking refuge under rocks and logs. Much more common in areas of higher moisture, they are found sporadically through the drier areas of Texas, including some of the moister areas of the Chihuahuan Desert. In the east, ring-necked snakes are much more common than in the west and more than two or three snakes will often be found together under stones or logs in a wide variety of moist habitats. In the west, ring-necked snakes are restricted to the moister areas of available habitat, seeking refuge in river bottoms, rock crevices or under fallen yucca logs.
General Distribution: 6
There are 12 subspecies of Diadophis punctatus recognized in North America. They are found throughout much of the U.S., save the upper midwestern states, as well as Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Diadophis punctatus also extends well into Mexico, along each side of the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Texas Distribution: 6
In Texas, Diadophis punctatus is found everywhere in the state except south Texas (south of San Antonio).
Conservation Status: 6
The ring-necked snake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Alex Baecher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alex Baecher
- (c) Andrew Durso, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Durso
- (c) Rich Hoyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Rich Hoyer
- (c) Jonathan Hakim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jonathan Hakim
- (c) Patrick (Dan) Giltz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/421215
- (c) Caleb Paul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/776627
