Ring-necked Snake
ExploreReptiles
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
The Ring-necked Snake is small and has a beautiful yellow ring around its neck! They are shy and prefer to hide under rocks.
Habitat: Woodlands and grasslands
Appearance
The Ring-necked Snake is a slender reptile, typically gray to black on its back. It has a distinctive bright yellow, orange, or reddish ring around its neck, which sharply contrasts with its dark body. The belly is usually a vibrant yellow or orange, making it visually unique.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyColubridaeGenusDiadophis
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
18
Interesting facts
Despite being snakes, they rarely bite humans and often coil up instead.
Ring-necked Snakes lay their small, white eggs in rotting wood or under rocks.
Their smooth scales feel surprisingly soft to the touch, not slimy at all!
These tiny snakes often play dead to trick predators into leaving them alone!
Special abilities
Ability
Flashy Defense
Ring-necked Snakes can coil their tail into a spiral to expose a bright orange belly, startling predators away.
Ability
Mild Venom Bite
Ring-necked Snakes have mild venom that helps them subdue small prey like salamanders and slugs effectively.
Ability
Scent Tracker
Ring-necked Snakes can use their forked tongue to 'taste' the air, helping them find hidden prey.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 25-45 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.015 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Top Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-10
- Incubation
- 50-70 days
Diet & Feeding
This small snake is a carnivore that enjoys dining on other small, soft-bodied creatures.
Primary Foods
- salamanders
- earthworms
- slugs
- small frogs
- insects
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
A primary food source in many habitats.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common aerial predator of these snakes.
eaten by
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Opportunistic nocturnal predators that may eat them.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Ringneck Snake
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Ring-necked Snake?
25-45 cm
How much does Ring-necked Snake weigh?
0.005-0.015 kg
How long does Ring-necked Snake live?
6-10 years
How fast can Ring-necked Snake move?
0.5 km/h
What does Ring-necked Snake eat?
This small snake is a carnivore that enjoys dining on other small, soft-bodied creatures.
Where is Ring-necked Snake usually found?
Woodlands and grasslands
How does Ring-necked Snake hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Ring-necked Snake lay?
2-10
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Where to spot
.jpg)
Park35 sightings13 species
Pennsylvania, US
Lyman Run State Park
You might spot Admiral Butterfly and Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander.
View guide →
Park78 sightings12 species
Florida, US
Tamiami Regional Park
You might spot Brown Anole, Shiny-Leaved Wild Coffee, and Firebush.
View guide →
Park50 sightings11 species
Florida, US
LaCosta Wetlands
You might spot White Peacock, Trailing Daisy, and Great Blue Heron.
View guide →
Zoo11 sightings10 species
California, US
Charles Paddock Zoo
You might spot Yellow-Footed Tortoise, Axolotl, and Red Panda.
View guide →
Park33 sightings10 species
Virginia, US
Stanton Park
You might spot Pale Green Assassin Bug and Asian Lady Beetle.
View guide →
Park29 sightings10 species
Tennessee, US
T.O. Fuller State Park
You might spot Red Buckeye, Prairie Trillium, and Largeflower Bellwort.
View guide →
