Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a rather small, harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, as well as south in Central Mexico and as far north as Quebec, Canada. Ring-necked snakes are generally fossorial and somewhat secretive, by nature, and, as a nocturnal species, are rarely seen during the daytime. These snakes are believed to be fairly abundant throughout most of their range, though no scientific evaluation supports this hypothesis. Scientific research is lacking for the species, despite their apparently common status, and more in-depth investigations are greatly needed.[4] It is the only species within the genus Diadophis and, currently, 14 subspecies are identified, though many herpetologists question the morphologically-based classifications.[5]
Ring-necked snake
A ring-necked snake in Sacramento County, California
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Squamata
Suborder:
Serpentes
Family:
Colubridae
Genus:
Diadophis
Baird & Girard, 1853
Species:
D. punctatus
Binomial name
Diadophis punctatus
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Synonyms[2][3]
Coluber punctatus
Linnaeus, 1766
Calamaria punctata
— Schlegel, 1837
Diadophis amabilis
Baird & Girard, 1853
Ablabes punctatus
— A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1854
Coronella punctata
— Boulenger, 1894
Diadophis punctatus
— Cope, 1898
Southern ringneck snake, Diadophis p. punctatus
The ring-necked snake is perhaps best-known for its unique defensive posture: when threatened, it curls its tail into a tight coil, partially rolls onto its back, and shows its bright red-orange underside and ventral surface. In nature, vivid coloration on an animal generally serves as a warning to others that it is not afraid of delivering a dose of venom, or that it is poisonous if eaten; this "false warning" coloration is a form of mimicry, a survival adaptation in which a non-venomous species (i.e., the ring-necked snake) has evolved brighter coloration, similar to truly venomous species, and used it to their advantage. Another example is seen in certain milksnakes and kingsnakes (Lampropeltis sp.) which have red, yellow, white or black stripes, an adaptation meant to confuse predators by visually mimicking the venomous coral snakes (Elapidae) which share much of their range.
Description
edit
The defensive display of a San Bernardino ring-necked snake
Southern ring-necked snake, D. p. punctatus
Ring-necked snakes are fairly similar in morphology throughout much of their distribution.
Ring-necked snake from Mount Diablo, California
Its dorsal coloration is solid olive, brown, bluish-gray to smoky black, broken only by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow-orange neck band.[6][7] A few populations in New Mexico, Utah, and other distinct locations do not have the distinctive neck band.[6] Additionally, individuals may have reduced or partially colored neck bands that are hard to distinguish; coloration may also be more of a cream color rather than bright orange or red.[7] Head coloration tends to be slightly darker than the rest of the body, with tendencies to be blacker than grey or olive.[7] Ventrally, the snakes exhibit a yellow-orange to red coloration broken by crescent-shaped black spots along the margins.[6] Some individuals lack the distinct ventral coloration, but typically retain the black spotting.[7] Rarely do individuals lack both the ventral and neck band coloration, so the use of those two characteristics is the simplest way to distinguish the species.[6]
Size also varies across the species' distribution. Typically, adults measure 25–38 cm (10–15 in) in length,[6] except for D. p. regalis, which measures 38–46 cm (15–18 in).[7] Maximum size for D. p. punctatus is reported at 52 cm (20.5 in).[8] First-year juvenile snakes are typically about 20 cm (8 in) and grow about 2–5 cm (1–2 in) a year depending on the developmental stage or resource availability.[7]
Ring-necked snakes have smooth scales with 15–17 scale rows at midbody.[6] Males typically have small tubercles on their scales just anterior to the vent, which are usually absent in females.[
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