Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus

by Jeff LeClere

Status

No status assigned in Minnesota.

Description

This is a small Minnesota species that ranges from 10 - 15 inches in length (Conant and Collins, 1991). It is plain brownish, black, bluish black, or slate colored above. There are no dorsal or head markings. There is usually a yellow or orange ring around the neck. The belly is yellow or orange and may or may not have spots (see subspecies). The scales are smooth and the anal plate is divided.

Subspecies

Minnesota has two of the twelve recognized subspecies of Ringneck Snake: the Prairie Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi) and the Northern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii). The Prairie Ringneck has an orange or yellow venter with numerous randomly scattered black spots and a bright red or orange undertail. The neck ring is usually orange or (rarely) absent. The Northern Ringneck has a yellow belly with no or very few black dots and a yellow undertail. The neck ring is yellow as well.

Range

The Ringneck Snake follows the Mississippi and St. Croix River Valleys along the eastern edge of Minnesota. The Northern Ringneck may be found in northern Minnesota and the Prairie in the south.

Habitat

Ringneck Snakes are a woodland species in Minnesota. The Prairie Ringneck is a more abundant woodland edge species that is found in and under moist rotting logs and under rocks and debris on bluff prairies, open grasslands, or southwest facing rocky outcrops. Populations are scattered locally in southeast Minnesota; they may be very abundant in one area but are absent only a mile away. Northern Ringnecks live in more deep woodland habitats under rotting logs and scattered stones. Both subspecies may turn up in backyards or basements near suitable habitat.

Habits

Ringneck Snakes are active from late April to October. These snakes are very secretive and spend their days hiding under debris. They are crepuscular and may be found crossing trails at dusk. They are sometimes nocturnal in hot weather, but many may estivate underground until cooler weather. They breed in the spring and sometimes the fall. The female lays four or five eggs under rotting logs or rocks in summer. The young are about four inches in length at hatching. These snakes rarely attempt to bite. Instead, they try to slide through one¼s fingers. When alarmed, they may coil up and curl their tails into a tight spiral showing the bright underside.

Food

Ringneck Snakes eat earthworms, soft-bodied insects, salamanders, frogs, small snakes, lizards, and newborn rodents (LeClere, 1993). This is Minnesota¼s smallest constricting snake. These snakes have stronger bodies when compared to other small snakes (such as those in the genus Storeria). Prey preference is apparently affected by geographical location (Rossi and Rossi, 1995), some prey items refused by one subspecies that are relished by another subspecies.