Fauna
Reptile · GBIF taxon 6161394

Prairie Ringneck Snake

Diadophis punctatus arnyi

The Prairie Ringneck Snake is a small, slender gray or dark snake with a yellow or orange collar and a brightly colored belly marked by dark spots. It spends much of its time beneath flat cover and may coil its tail to display warning color when disturbed.

Small SnakeNeck RingPrairie Reptile
Prairie Ringneck Snake reference1 / 4
Licensed reference(c) Chris Stahl, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Earthworms
  • Slugs
  • Salamanders
Predators
  • Hawks
  • Owls
  • Larger snakes
ThreatsPrairie conversion, road mortality, pesticide use, persecution, and destructive rock turning
HabitatsTallgrass prairie, rocky grassland, woodland edge, ravines, and moist ground beneath cover
Life spanLikely several years; detailed wild longevity is not well documented
Classification
  1. FamilyColubridae
  2. SpeciesDiadophis punctatus arnyi
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Do not handle or peel back habitat cover; leave every rock and board as found.
Responsible observation
  • Collar: Look for a narrow yellow or orange ring behind the head.
  • Belly: Bright underside color may show when the tail coils defensively.
  • Cover: Never overturn rocks solely to search for snakes.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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