<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 . 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> <P> Ring - necked snakes are fairly similar in morphology throughout much of their distribution . </P> <P> Its dorsal coloration is solid olive, brown, bluish - gray to black, broken only by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow - orange neck band . A few populations in New Mexico, Utah, and other distinct locations do not have the distinctive neck band . 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 . Head coloration tends to be slightly darker than the rest of the body, with tendencies to be blacker than grey or olive . Ventrally, the snakes exhibit a yellow - orange to red coloration broken by crescent - shaped black spots along the margins . Some individuals lack the distinct ventral coloration, but typically retain the black spotting . 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 . </P> <P> Size also varies across the species' distribution . Typically, adults measure 25--38 cm (10--15 in) in length, except for D. p. regalis, which measures 38--46 cm (15--18 in). 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 . </P>

Black snake with red belly and yellow ring around neck
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