This slender snake is aptly named for the distinct yellow, cream or orange ring around the neck. Ringneck snakes are a part of the colubrid family and are considered harmless. What to feed them, how to handle them, and if they are aggressive or not are just a few of the questions people ask. 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. The average weight is 1.32 grams. It is also found in cutover lands, sawdust piles, field edges and even suburban backyards. One communal nest found under a boulder near McCabe Lake in Halifax County had 117 eggs, ranging in length from 2.1 to 3.6 cm. (Another subspecies in Kansas was found to have densities of 700 to 1,800 per 1 hectare (0.0039 sq mi; 0.010 km2).) At dusk they become active, hunting salamanders. The Ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus) sometimes known as the Ring-necked snake is a mildly venomous but harmless colubrid snake found in southeastern Canada and throughout most of the United States southward into Central Mexico. [6] Southern subspecies exist primarily within riparian and wet environments, especially in more arid habitats. Localized habitat destruction, predation and road mortality threaten some populations of this species, but none of these threats are considered to be serious. Ringneck snakes can survive on a diet of insects so pet owners who are a bit squeamish won’t have to worry about sacrificing any small rodents to keep their snakes fed. Family life Share aims to share cool knowledge and unique experience about family life, marriage, love, relationships, parenting and life tips. The eggs hatch after about two months, and the young look essentially the same as the adults, possibly with a brighter color shade on the ring and belly. Ringneck Snakes are most common in southwestern and northeastern mainland Nova Scotia; reports from northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island are rare. Red-bellied snakes and juvenile Dekay’s brownsnakes can have a light-coloured, sometimes ring-like marking on the neck. In the wild, ringneck snakes hibernate. The complete ring and lack of large dark spots on the belly differentiate it from other subspecies of D. punctatus. A big enough ringneck snake can eat small mice or voles, but they are not a required part of their diet. Females ringnecks are larger than their male counterparts. Charitable registration # 10737 8952 RR0001, Northern ring-necked snake © Todd Pierson CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, Northern ring-necked snake © Emma Horrigan, Charitable registration # 10737 8952 RR0001, Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario, Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, International Union for Conservation of Nature. We want to provide high-quality content to people who are looking for these topics. [6] Populations extend from south-central Washington continuing along the extreme West Coast into Mexico. Adult females range from about 26 to 54 cm. A ten-gallon terrarium is ample space for a snake of the ringneck’s size. Ringneck snakes like to hide under stones, leaf litter, and bark coverage. While it may be possible that some individuals could experience an allergic reaction to a bite, it is unlikely given the small amount that would be injected. In the winter, these snakes hibernate, in locations from stone walls or cellars to small mammal burrows to brush piles or rotting logs. A ringneck would be more of a specimen than what many would consider a pet. A ringneck found in Mexico or the southern parts of the U.S. will not undergo this state of brumation. Ring-necked snakes are found in forested areas, including forest edges and clearings. Ring-necked snakes occur in a wide variety of habitats. Females lay several yellowish-white eggs in damp places such as under rocks or rotting wood in open areas exposed to the sun's heat. Ringneck snakes have tiny teeth located at the back of their mouths so it is doubtful their bite would even break the skin. Family life Share is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Most adults are from 10-15 inches (25.4-38 cm) long. Its dorsal coloration is solid olive, brown, bluish-gray to smoky black, broken only by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow-orange neck band. This is a woodland snake, most common near the shores of ponds, streams and bogs. The species has been designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which offers protection to individuals but not their habitat. [7] The frequency at which prey species are chosen is dependent on their availability within the habitat. But at the same times, we are also participants in life. Depending on what part of the country you live, and how low the temperature can drop, will determine whether you will need a heat lamp for your pet ringneck. In the wild, the ringneck snake has enemies including many other species of snakes such as coral and king snakes. Snakes born in captivity have a much better chance of surviving to maturity. Adult males range from about 28 to 41 cm. You can expect your snake to live up to six years provided you give it a safe, stress-free home with plenty of good insects to eat. They are very shy reptiles. All ringneck snakes are nocturnal and secretive. The radiating heat probably causes snakes that hibernate next to building foundations to warm up early. The northern ringneck snake has a solid, unmarked yellowish ventral. One was accidently caught in a dip net, swimming across Minard Brook in Queens. At dusk they become active, hunting salamanders. Do not mess with me!” That said, the venom of the ringneck is so mild and delivered in such small amounts that it is no danger to humans. Also called the ‘ring-necked snake’, they are known for their bright coloration and their strange posture of curling up the tail-tip when threatened. [6] Ring-necked snakes are also not found above an elevation of 2,200 m (7,200 ft). They hibernate underground and will also retreat underground during especially warm weather. Ring-Neck Snakes are known for wriggling along the foundations of buildings and hibernating in old foundations. The ringneck snake is secretive, inhabiting the leaf litter and upper soil horizon community. Female snakes get longer than male snakes. Beltz, Ellin (2006). A fully grown ringneck snake can grow to a length of between 10 and 15 inches. This is a very docile snake… Ringneck Snakes are most common in southwestern and northeastern mainland Nova Scotia; reports from northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island are rare. in total length. Although not commonly seen, the northern ring-necked snake is believed to be widespread and its populations to be relatively stable. Frequent handling will get them used to human contact but their natural inclination will be to escape if possible. The soil can be kept moist with water in a spray bottle as it dries out. They are not aggressive and rarely bite their handlers. [6] Males typically have small tubercles on their scales just anterior to the vent, which are usually absent in females. Bullfrogs, owls, opossums, wild hogs, shrews, skunks, and raccoons are known to make a feast of these small snakes. The adult is gray to bluish black above with a flat black head. They aren’t cute and cuddly like rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters. Their mouths are small and their teeth are quite tiny, so even if they do bite you, they can’t hang on and the bite is not painful. While the ringneck is technically a venomous snake and it is a constrictor, it is far too small to harm a dog in either of these ways. They are not capable of doing this to humans or even cats and dogs. [7] Northern and western subspecies are found within open woodlands near rocky hillsides, or in wetter environments with abundant cover or woody debris. When a ringneck is confronted by a predator and escape is not possible, they will curl their tails up and may even flip over to expose their brightly colored underbellies which is a deterrent to many animals. Eastern populations cover the entire Eastern Seaboard from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence continuous through the Gulf Coast of Texas.