Species profile
Ring-Necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
At a glance
Ring-Necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 40,707 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Florida, and Kansas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Adults typically measure just 10–15 inches, making them one of North America's smallest snakes.
- When threatened, it coils its tail upward to flash a vivid red-orange belly as a warning.
- Feeds on earthworms, small salamanders, and frogs, aided by mild rear-fang venom.
- Found across nearly all of North America, from southern Canada to central Mexico.
- Completely harmless to humans — its rear fangs cannot penetrate human skin effectively.
Where Ring-Necked Snake are seen
Background
Diadophis 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 southeastern Canada. Ring-necked snakes are secretive, nocturnal snakes, so are rarely seen during the day time. They are best known for their unique defense posture of curling up their tails, exposing their bright…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Ring-Necked Snake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.