Reptile · GBIF taxon 8763701
Diadophis punctatus
diadophis punctatusAlso known as Ringneck Snake
Ring-necked snakes spend most of their lives hidden beneath leaf litter, rotting logs, or flat stones where moisture remains consistent. When threatened, they coil their tail upward like a corkscrew, displaying a glaring bright yellow or reddish underside to surprise potential predators. Despite possessing weak venom delivered by rear fangs to subdue tiny prey, these gentle reptiles are entirely harmless to humans.
NocturnalSecretiveReptile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Earthworms
- Salamanders
- Slugs
Predators
- Owls
- Bullfrogs
- Larger snakes
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, pesticide use
HabitatsMoist hardwood forests, damp meadows, rocky hillsides
Life span10 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColubridae
- GenusDiadophis
- Speciesdiadophis punctatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Habitat Etiquette: Carefully roll cover items toward you so exposed animals flee away, and always replace cover gently.
- Defensive Behavior: Watch for a coiled tail exposing a bright underside, used to startle predators when uncovered.
Prey Alex Karasoulos / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor Wilson44691 / Public domain · cc0
Frequent Companion (c) Mila C., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mila C. · cc-by
Close Relative
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