Ringneck Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Ringneck Snake

RISN

Status

The Ringneck Snake is common throughout its range. The lower Florida Keys subspecies D. p. acricus is state listed as threatened.

Reasons for Current Status

Florida lists the Lower Keys populations as threatened primarily due to population declines and habitat destruction.

Description

The Ringneck Snake is a small (25–62 cm), black or gray snake with a distinctive bright yellow collar or ring around the neck. The venter is orange or yellow with a series of black spots or half-moons. Thirteen subspecies have been described.

Distribution

Diadophis punctatus ranges from Nova Scotia and Michigan in the north, to Florida and Mexico in the south. Disjunct populations occur throughout the Rockies and along the Pacific Coast.

Habitat

Ringneck Snakes occur in many terrestrial habitats but prefer moist, forested habitats where they are found in or under rotting logs, stumps, stones, leaf litter, and other protected places. They can be found in upland hardwoods, bottomland hardwoods, forest edges, pine woods, white pine-hemlock, cypress swamp edges and even residential areas. These snakes appear to be particularly fond of rotting pine stumps and logs.

Special Requirements

The Ringneck Snake requires moist, friable soils with shelter such as fallen logs, stumps, leaf litter, and surface debris.

Breeding Habits

Females deposit one to ten elongated eggs, usually within moist humus or rotting logs. Hatching generally takes place during August or September in northern parts of its range and June to July in the southern portion.

Food Habits

The food of the Ringneck Snake is primarily small salamanders and earthworms, but also included in the diet are small frogs and insects.

Management Suggestions

Snags, fallen logs, and similar structures should be retained in moist, forested areas to provide favorable microhabitat for this species.

Additional References

Fitch 1975; Mount 1975.