Prairie Ring-necked Snake

Hatchling Prairie Ring-Necked Snake, Diadophis punctatus arnyi

The Prairie Ring-Necked Snake, a subspecies of ring-necked snake, is a small, non-venomous snake. They range in size between 25-38 cm (10-15 in) and have a distinctive orange or yellow neck band as well as an orange or yellow belly. Although found throughout the eastern two thirds of the United States up into Canada and down into Mexico, they are secretive. Ring-necked snakes prefer rocky, wooded hillsides for shelter and to search for prey. Their main diet consists of worms, slugs, other soft-bodied insects, and small reptiles. These snakes do not reach sexual maturity until the third year and are thought to have a lifespan close to 20 years in the wild. They rarely venture out during the day and have a single denning site.