<Li> Coronella punctata--Boulenger, 1894 </Li> <Li> Diadophis punctatus--Cope, 1898 </Li> <P> Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring - necked snake or ringneck snake, is a harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and southeastern Canada . Ring - necked snakes are secretive, nocturnal snakes, so are rarely seen during the day time . They are slightly venomous, but their nonaggressive nature and small, rear - facing fangs pose little threat to humans who wish to handle them . They are best known for their unique defense posture of curling up their tails, exposing their bright red - orange posterior, ventral surface when threatened . </P> <P> Ring - necked 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 ring - necked snake, and more in - depth investigations are greatly needed . It is the only species within the genus Diadophis, and currently 14 subspecies are identified, but many herpetologists question the morphologically based classifications . </P>

Black snake with orange ring around neck in florida