Northern Ringneck
Snake
Diadophis punctatus
edwardsii
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The Northern Ringneck
Snake is a smallish snake, only growing up to two feet long.
It is bluish-black in color, with a yellow or red ring
around its neck, and a matching belly. This snake has a
large, flat head.
Northern Ringneck Snakes
live just about anywhere, including forests, grassy places,
and streamsides.
They usually hide under
logs, rocks, leaf
litter, or matted
plants.
They are nocturnal,
so they are mostly seen at night.
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Copyright, J.D.
Willson
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Ringneck snakes are
sociable,
which means they are often found hiding together. They also
sometimes lay eggs in the same places. Northern Ringneck
Snakes mate in the Spring and lay eggs in June and July.
Eggs are whitish, and about one inch long. Each female lays
up to ten eggs at a time.
Eggs hatch in about two
months. Young ringnecks are four inches long when they are
born.
Northern Ringneck Snakes
can live up to 20 years.
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These snakes eat a wide
variety of animals including: earthworms, insects, slugs,
small snakes, lizards, frogs, salamanders, ants, other
arthropods,
and newborn rodents.
They swallow small
creatures whole. Large creatures they suffocate by
constriction (wrapping their bodies around their prey and
squeezing).
They do all of their
hunting at night.
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Copyright, J.D.
Willson
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Northern Ringneck Snakes
also have many predators,
including: Raccoon, Virginia Opossum, Striped Skunk, Least
Shrew, American Toad, hawks, owls, Bullfrog, and other
snakes.
Newly hatched ringnecks
are even eaten by large spiders and centipedes.
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West Virginia Reptiles
and Amphibians
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West Virginia Reptiles
and Amphibians
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When threatened, Northern
Ringneck Snakes have a variety of defenses.
First, a ringneck will
coil its tail and show the bright underside of its belly to
try to frighten its attacker.
Next, it will release a
foul-smelling odor.
If these tricks don't
work the Northern Ringneck Snake will bite
savagely.
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