PRAIRIE RINGNECK SNAKE
Diadophis punctatus arny
Constrictor- Nonvenomous
This small snake has a black-grey head, a grey, blue or black body, and an orange to yellow ring around its neck. The belly is yellow fading to orange then to red at the tail. The belly also will have small black spots on each of its sides.
An adult prairie ringneck can range from 9-14 inches. Hatchlings are 4 inches.
The snake eats earthworms, but also slugs, soft-bodied insects, and small salamanders. It lives in prairie grass regions but also can be found on hilly woods or rocky areas. It can also be seen under logs, leaf foliage and flat rocks, these are some of its favorite hiding spots.
The snake is found almost statewide. The Mississippi ring-necked snake subspecies replaces the prairie subspecies in the Bootheel.
When captured this snake will twist its brightly colored tail and lie on its back to draw attention away from its head.
This small snake has a black-grey head, a grey, blue or black body, and an orange to yellow ring around its neck. The belly is yellow fading to orange then to red at the tail. The belly also will have small black spots on each of its sides.
An adult prairie ringneck can range from 9-14 inches. Hatchlings are 4 inches.
The snake eats earthworms, but also slugs, soft-bodied insects, and small salamanders. It lives in prairie grass regions but also can be found on hilly woods or rocky areas. It can also be seen under logs, leaf foliage and flat rocks, these are some of its favorite hiding spots.
The snake is found almost statewide. The Mississippi ring-necked snake subspecies replaces the prairie subspecies in the Bootheel.
When captured this snake will twist its brightly colored tail and lie on its back to draw attention away from its head.
