Diadophis punctatus                                               Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

Ringneck snakes are named for the yellow ring around their neck. These small (6-10 inch), slender, smooth-scaled snakes are usually black with an orange belly that becomes orange-red near the tip of the tail. A row of black spots runs down the middle of the belly.

                                                                           Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

                                                                             Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

Ringneck snakes are common throughout Florida in hardwood hammocks, pine woodlands and along the edges of wetlands; they live under rocks, logs and leaf litter. They feed largely on earthworms and slugs, but they also take small skinks, lizards and tiny frogs, which they immobilize with toxic saliva. Their bite is not harmful to people.

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