Ring-necked Snake

Common. Ring-necked snakes are restricted to moist, but not aquatic, environments. They are highly secretive and occur primarily in pine or deciduous woodlands with heavy ground litter. They may grow to lengths of slightly more than 1 ft. Ring-necked snakes are black or slate gray on top with a yellow ring around the neck; the belly is yellow, orange, or red with a row of dark spots.

This species feeds on earthworms, small snakes, lizards, salamanders, and frogs. Ring-necked snakes rarely bite when picked up but will curl their tails to form a corkscrew that displays the brightly colored underside. 

Ring-necked Snake