A small, slate-grey North American snake with a vivid orange neck ring and belly, often found under logs and flat stones.
Description
Ringneck snakes are slim, dark grey or olive snakes rarely over 40 cm, with a smooth dorsal surface and a brilliant orange, yellow, or red neck ring just behind the head. The belly is the same vivid colour as the ring and is sometimes spotted with black.
Behavior
Largely fossorial and nocturnal, ringneck snakes hide under rocks, leaves, and logs by day, emerging at night to hunt salamanders and earthworms. When threatened they curl up the tail to expose the bright belly as a warning. Mild rear-fanged venom is sufficient for slippery prey but harmless to humans.
Range
Found across nearly all of the United States, much of Mexico, and parts of southeastern Canada. About a dozen subspecies vary in size, belly markings, and the brightness of the orange or red ventral surface.