Pike County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs

Northern Ringneck Snake

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii

The Northern Ringneck Snake is one of the smaller snakes of Pike County. Typically about 12 inches in length, the Northern Ringneck will seldom exceed 18 inches.  The color ranges from gray to jet black with a neck ring that varies from yellow to orange and a belly that can be yellow, orange or red.

Northern Ringnecks prefer to remain under rocks and logs.  It is rare to see them out in the open unless the rock or log they are under has been disturbed.

Females lay their eggs under damp rotting wood.  Although they will lay less than ten eggs, multiple females may use the same site creating quite a large clutch.  The eggs hatch in August with hatchlings about four inches long.  Soon after, people not familiar with the snake will sometimes wonder about the black "worms with the little yellow rings" that they find hiding in their gardens.

Northern Ringneck Snakes eat worms, slugs, insects, and small salamanders.  If their prey is small enough, they will grab it and eat it whole.  When subduing prey that is on the larger side, the Northern Ringneck will kill it by constriction. For defense, the NRS will first show its bright underside as a warning. If that doesn't work, it will release a foul, musky, odor.  If the predator persists, it will repeatedly bite the attacker.

Northern Ringneck Snakes are NOT poisonous and should not be killed.

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