Northern ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus

We found this northern ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus, hiding under a small limestone rock on a rocky hillside immediately beside the stream our class went to at Hueston Woods State Park on April 22, 2010. This specimen, as you can tell from the pictures, was very small; however, northern ringneck snakes can reach up to 16". The northern ringneck snake is easily distinguished by the bright yellow or yellow-orange ring on its neck. It is hard to tell in our picture, but the belly of the stomach is really cool looking; it is a bright yellow-orange with a row of black spots on each side. This is my favorite snake that we have caught thus far.

Northern ringneck snakes are nocturnal and spend the day under logs, rocks, and leaf litter. Northern ringneck snakes hunt and eat earthworms, insects, slugs, small snakes, frogs, salamanders, and ants. For larger prey items, they suffocate their prey by constriction.

Northern ringneck snakes can be found hiding with other northern ringneck snakes. As well, they have been known to lay their eggs in the same location as other ringneck snakes. They mate in the spring and lay their eggs in June and July.

Diadophis punctatus is a really cool looking snake, but I was lucky that I did not get bit or musked when I captured it.

Posted by Tim Hake. Pictures courtesy of Tammy McPeek.