Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus · Colubridae
Also called: Ringneck Snake, Corkscrew Snake
A tiny, secretive snake with a bright neck ring and a vivid orange-yellow belly it curls to flash when threatened. Harmless to people despite mild rear-fanged saliva.
What the Ring-necked Snake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Slate-gray to black back with a distinct yellow or orange neck band
- 2Bright yellow, orange or red belly, often with black spots
- 3Curls its tail to show the colorful underside when alarmed
- 4Very small and pencil-thin
Snakes it's confused with
Also small with a bright belly but lacks the clean neck ring.
Behavior & danger to humans
Shy and harmless; its mild venom only affects tiny prey.
⚠️ Danger: Harmless to humans. Beneficial for slug and worm control.
Related snakes
Mildly venomousCommon Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
The most widespread snake in North America and the classic 'garden snake.' Technically has a very mild saliva toxin but is harmless to humans.
Mildly venomousEastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
A harmless toad-eater famous for its theatrics — it hisses, flattens its neck like a cobra, then flips over and plays dead. Rear-fanged with toxin that affects only amphibians.
Mildly venomousWestern Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
A small, stocky, theatrical snake and a wildly popular pet. It hisses, flattens its neck and plays dead — but is essentially harmless to humans.