![]() ![]() Ring-necked snakes are also not found above an elevation of 2,200 m (7,200 ft). Stebbins (2003) identified the species as a snake of moist habitats, with moist soil conditions the preferred substrate. Southern subspecies exist primarily within riparian and wet environments, especially in more arid habitats. Northern and western subspecies are found within open woodlands near rocky hillsides, or in wetter environments with abundant cover or woody debris. Preference seems to be determined by areas with abundant cover and denning locations. Ring-necked snakes occur in a wide variety of habitats. ![]() Population segments extend inland into western Idaho, through southern Nevada, into central Utah, and continuing south through Arizona and central Mexico. Populations extend from south-central Washington continuing along the extreme West Coast into Mexico. ![]() In the western US, the distribution is significantly less continuous, with spotty, distinct population segments through most of the Pacific Northwest. Distribution moves inland into northern Minnesota, continuing diagonally through the US to include all of Iowa, eastern Nebraska, and most of Kansas. Eastern populations cover the entire Eastern Seaboard from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence continuous through the Gulf Coast of Texas. Ring-necked snakes are fairly common throughout much of the United States extending into southeastern Canada and central Mexico. Males typically have small tubercles on their scales just anterior to the vent, which are usually absent in females. Ring-necked snakes have smooth scales with 15–17 scale rows at midbody. First-year juvenile snakes are typically about 20 cm (8 in) and grow about 2–5 cm (1–2 in) a year depending on the developmental stage or resource availability. Typically, adults measure 25–38 cm (10–15 in) in length, except for D. Size also varies across the species' distribution. Rarely, do individuals lack both the ventral and neck band coloration so the use of those two characteristics is the simplest way to distinguish the species. Some individuals lack the distinct ventral coloration, but typically retain the black spotting. Ventrally, the snakes exhibit a yellow-orange to red coloration broken by crescent-shaped black spots along the margins. Head coloration tends to be slightly darker than the rest of the body, with tendencies to be blacker than grey or olive. Additionally, individuals may have reduced or partially colored neck bands that are hard to distinguish coloration may also be more of a cream color rather than bright orange or red. A few populations in New Mexico, Utah, and other distinct locations do not have the distinctive neck band. Its dorsal coloration is solid olive, brown, bluish-gray to smoky black, broken only by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow-orange neck band. Ring-necked snake from Mount Diablo, California Ring-necked snakes are fairly similar in morphology throughout much of their distribution. Description The defensive display of a San Bernardino ring-necked snake Southern ring-necked snake, D. ![]() It is the only species within the genus Diadophis, and currently 14 subspecies are identified, but many herpetologists question the morphologically based classifications. Scientific research is lacking for the ring-necked snake, and more in-depth investigations are greatly needed. Ring-necked snakes are believed to be fairly abundant throughout most of their range, though no scientific evaluation supports this hypothesis. They are best known for their unique defense posture of curling up their tails, exposing their bright red-orange posterior, ventral surface when threatened. Ring-necked snakes are secretive, nocturnal snakes, so are rarely seen during the day time. punctatusĭiadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and south-eastern Canada. ![]()
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