Diadophis punctatus arnyi (Kennicott)
the Prairie Ringneck Snake
Current Name
Original Name
Synonyms Physical Description Habitat Natural History
Diadophis punctatus arnyi Kennicott, 1859.
Diadophis arnyi Kennicott, 1859:98-100. Type-locality: Hyatt, Anderson County, Kansas
Diadophis regalis arnyi Kennicott, 1859.
Cope (1900) transfered to subspecies of regalis
Diadophis punctatus arnyi Kennicott, 1859.
S. Garman (1883) present usage
Size: Adults, 7-16 inches; hatchlings, 3-4 inches.
Identifying Attributes: Black head and dark gray body separated by a golden ring at the neck. The ring may be broken by a dark line at the spine. The throat, chin, and lips are pale gray with black spots, the belly is yellow, and the underside of the tail is orange-red. Black half moons dot the belly and underside of tail. Loreal scale is present; smooth scales; 17 scale rows at midbody; divided anal plate.
Range: Central lowlands of United States, from Mississippi River in Wisconsin to Texas to Colorado, and the southeastern U.S..
Macro: In pine forests, timbered hillsides, bottoms of ravines and gullies, and wooded hills.
Micro: Under logs, sphagnum, stones, gravel, sand, loose bark from fallen trunks, damp leaves, leaf mats, and bark and loose litter around stumps and tree bases.
Feeding: Preys on small vertebrates as well as insects and other small invertebrates.
Behavior: Secretive, seldom encountered in the open. Do not bite, but will release foul-smelling feces and musk from anal glands when threatened. Also uses exaggerated tail coiling to detract predators from the head.
Reproduction: Oviparous, 2-8 eggs, around 6-7 weeks to hatch.
Period of Activity: Most active between April and October, but may be found at other times of year depending on the weather. May hibernate.
Predators: Birds of prey, other snakes, and bullfrogs.