Key Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus acricus

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

Except for 2 subspecies, the 12 subspecies of ring-necked snakes in the USA are little grayish to black snakes that may be immediately identified to genus by the presence of complete or partial bright orange neck rings. Of the 2 holdouts one, a large subspecies from our southwestern arid lands may or may not have a ring and the 2nd, the Key ring-neck, from Florida, also may or may not have a ring but it is a tiny subspecies. 4 subspecies occur in the southeast. On the Key ring-necked snake the namesake ring is either faint or absent. The head and anterior body are a pale gray or grayish-brown that darkens to black posteriorly. The belly is orange, usually with a central row of prominent black half-moons. Adult size is 9 to 11 inches. Hatchlings are about 4 inches long. Scales are in 15 to 17 rows.

Unique Features:

This is the only subspecies of the 5 eastern forms that lacks a prominent neck ring. The ring-necks, as a group, are rear-fanged snakes that produce a venom designed to overcome their prey. Prey may be as varied as grubs, slugs, salamanders, smaller snake species, or lizards.

Habitat and Diet:

Sandy scrublands on an oolitic limestone base. It is a secretive burrowing snake that is occasionally found beneath weathered surface debris lying atop a sandy substrate. Prey may be as varied as grubs, slugs, salamanders, smaller snake species, or lizards.