Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
Common throughout eastern and central North America, and found elsewhere where the climate is not too arid. Thrive in a variety of habitats. Prey upon small salamanders, lizards, and frogs, as well as earthworms and juvenile snakes of other species.
Ringneck snakes don't tend to bite and are never large enough to do any damage if they did.
First snake of 2008. CHECK
(Or, am I not allowed to count this one because I handled it?)
Common throughout eastern and central North America, and found elsewhere where the climate is not too arid. Thrive in a variety of habitats. Prey upon small salamanders, lizards, and frogs, as well as earthworms and juvenile snakes of other species.
Ringneck snakes don't tend to bite and are never large enough to do any damage if they did.
First snake of 2008. CHECK
(Or, am I not allowed to count this one because I handled it?)
OMG you have snakes already. It isn't warm enough here. I have never seen one of these before. It looks like a big worm. Is this a young one?
ReplyDeleteHow neat this is. I just wrote a piece about snakes this morning. I have yet to post it. It was about stones, glaciers and my father being chased by blue racer snakes. Think I will finish it and publish it early.
ReplyDeleteI like this post a lot.
You can see a map of where I live on my brookville blog and how I plan to spend some of my royalty check.
Marvin-
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful creature. Even though I have "herped" all thoughout Ohio, this is a snake that I have never found. Great picture and great find. Can't wait for the snow here to finally melt so I can go herping!
Tom
I was a little surprised to find this snake out and about because it's still a little chilly here too. We must live in an ideal ringneck habitat. In the past, I've seen several per year, despite their secretive ways. At approximately 10" this is one of the largest ringnecks I've found. Most are four or five inches long and really do resemble large earthworms. It's hard for me to imagine how they find enough prey small enough to consume.
ReplyDeleteMarvin, congrats on your first snake! I still have snow on the ground and a little early for them to be out and about! Shouldn't be too long before they return!
ReplyDeleteStunning... I look forward to seeing more..
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Tom
Dear Marvin,
ReplyDeleteVery cool snake. We are snake lovers here and look forward to seeing them in the gardens. I have never seen a ringneck before.
Sherry
What a pretty little snake. I thought it must be a baby, it's so tiny, but since you mention it's the largest one of these you've found, I guess it's an adult?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an adult, zhakee ... probably fully mature ... 7" or so is average for one year of growth ... a foot or so is average for fully grown after four years.
ReplyDeletethey only get about that big when fully grown, the don't bite, and there not venomous
ReplyDeleteExactly how big do ringneck snake from georgia get cuz I have a yellow ringneck snake from there and was just wondering my email is Fireangelkm35@aol.com
ReplyDelete