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| What
is a Ring Snake ? |
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Diadophis punctatus
Ring snakes are named
so because of a yellow band around the neck. Its back is either slate
gray, black or brown with smooth scales and a satin-like appearance.
They prefer moist woodlands as their habitat.
These snakes are found in Canada and Mexico as well as the United States. They
are a secretive snake rarely seen in the wild. They are
very weak
constrictors that feed on worms small salamanders lizards
and
occasionally small snakes. When threatened they coil up
their tails and
display their brightly colored under bellies which can be
red, yellow and
orange they use this as a defensive tactic. There are
approximately a
dozen different species of the Ring necked snake.
Ringnecks are most likely to end up in someone's
basement. Ringneck snakes rarely bite, but may release a foul musk
when
handled. Although salamanders make up the bulk of their diet, ringnecks
will also feed on earthworms, insects and, on occasion, fish. As
relatively small snakes, they rarely bask in the open and are generally
found under cover (rocks, logs, boards, debris) during the day. Like the
salamanders on which they prey, ringnecks are usually nocturnal. They
are most active in spring and fall and are rarely seen during summer.
Females lay eggs.
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