Photo © 2005 Jim Jung and licensors. All rights reserved.

Ringneck Snakes

Ringneck snakes are one of the signs that spring is at last here. These beautiful little reptiles (they only reach about a foot in length) are an iridescent blue-gray above and bright orange below with a bright yellow ring encircling their neck.

These are burrowing snakes of the woodlands where they search out and devour worms, insects and especially small woodland salamanders. If they feel threatened they sometimes coil up and raise their tail to reveal the brightly colored underside (they don't bite) in the hopes that their tormentor will take the hint and leave them alone. In my humble opinion this is one of the least offensive, most gentle and subtly beautiful snakes in our area.

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