Diadophis punctatus regalis (Baird & Girard)
the Regal Ringneck Snake
Current Name
Original Name
Synonyms
Diadophis punctatus regalis Baird & Girard, 1853.
Diadophis regalis Baird & Girard, 1853.
Diadophis regalis arizonae Blanchard, 1923.
Diadophis punctatus regalis Baird & Girard, 1853.
Liner (1994) present usage.
Physical Description Habitat Natural History
Size: Adults, 8-30 inches
Identifying Attributes: Dorsal surface color a uniform greenish ash; ventral is light yellow, scattered with black half-moons; the undertail is scarlet; no neck ring; dorsal scales in 17 rows.
Range: Southeast Idaho to southwest Utah, and northeast Arizona to southern New Mexico. Elevations between 2,800 and 7,000 or more.
Macro: Pine forests, foothills, and often near water.
Micro: Under logs, boulders, loose bark from fallen trunks, and damp leaves.
Feeding: Preys on small reptiles.
Behavior: Secretive, seldom encountered in the open. Also uses exaggerated tail coiling to detract predators from the head.
Reproduction: Oviparous. Exhibits sexual dimorphism- tails of males average 0.190 of total length, while female tails average 0.154. 2-5 eggs are laid in the summer.
Period of Activity: First appear between mid-April and early May.