Southern Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus punctatus

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. Although egg-layers (oviparous), at least one incident of live birth (ovoviviparity) has been documented by a female in Florida. Although adult at 10 to 14 inches, this Southern Ring-neck has been documented at just under 19 inches. Slate brownish to gray above, the belly is yellowish anteriorly and orange posteriorly with a central row of prominent black half moons. Orange neck ring often incomplete. Hatchlings, 4 inches long, are darker overall. Scales are in 15 to 17 rows.

 

Unique Features:

This belly of this subspecies is usually yellowish anteriorly and bright orange posteriorly. It has a central row of prominent black half moons. Orange neck ring often wide but incomplete. 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, worms, slugs, salamanders, smaller snake species, or lizards.

 

Habitat and Diet:

Varied but this common snake is usually found beneath rocks, logs, or other surface debris in seasonally moist woodlands, meadows, and even in suburban yards. Prey may be as varied as grubs, worms, slugs, salamanders, smaller snake species, or lizards.

 

Geographic Range:

FL, GA, SC, AL, NC, VA, MD, NJ,