Ringneck Snake

The ringneck snake is one of the most widely distributed small snakes in North America, occurring across most of the United States as well as parts of southern Canada and Mexico. It belongs to the colubrid family and is instantly recognizable due to its contrasting neck ring, a feature shared by nearly all populations despite significant regional variation in size and exact coloration.

It is one of the most commonly found snakes under logs, rocks, and other surface debris in gardens and woodlands, though it is rarely seen moving openly during the day.

The species is mildly venomous, with weak rear fangs used to help subdue small prey, but it is not considered dangerous to humans.

• Small, slender body with smooth, glossy scales
• Uniform dark gray, olive, brown, or bluish-black coloration on the back
• Distinct yellow, orange, or cream neck ring just behind the head, though occasionally faint or broken in some populations
• Belly typically bright yellow or orange, sometimes with small black spots
• Adults typically 25-40 cm (10-16 in), with some regional subspecies larger
• The bright neck ring combined with contrasting belly color is the primary identifying feature

Found across a very wide range of habitats throughout most of the continental United States, southern Canada, and into Mexico, including forests, woodland edges, grasslands, and suburban gardens. Commonly found under rocks, logs, bark, and other surface debris in moist microhabitats.

Secretive and largely nocturnal or crepuscular, spending daylight hours hidden under cover objects. It feeds on small salamanders, earthworms, slugs, and juvenile snakes, using mild rear-fanged venom to help subdue prey. When threatened, it may coil its tail to display the bright underside as a startle display rather than biting. Reproduction is egg-laying, with females laying small clutches of a few eggs, sometimes communally in shared nest sites.