Are Ringneck Snakes Poisonous?

Ringneck snakes' upper sides are usually grayish-blue, grayish-green or pale brown in coloration. The lower portions of their bodies, however, are yellow to orange. In many cases, these bright colors are deepest just below the tails, which can sometimes even take on red appearances. Some of these reptiles display dark blotting over their stomach regions. Fully mature males are smaller than fully mature females, although the females possess smaller tails, commensurately speaking. Ringneck snakes generally achieve lengths of between 10 and 15 inches. Habitat-wise, they gravitate toward grasslands, foothills, woodlands, hillsides, floodplains, valleys and forests. Damp environments are often a preference for the species. They frequently seek out areas that have plenty of suitable hiding spots, whether tree bark, stones or logs. The reproductive season for ringneck snakes occurs in the autumn or spring months. Their clutches are generally made up of between three and 10 young. After egg laying, the youngsters do not receive any parental assistance. Both sexes typically gain reproductive abilities once they are around 3 years old.

Individuals of this species are totally innocuous to people. However, they are indeed slightly venomous. Ringneck snakes' saliva contains moderate venom, which they utilize to control their prey animals. Trapped ringneck snakes frequently salivate out of the sides of their mouth -- perhaps because of giving off venom.

Ringneck snakes' prey animals are frogs, lizards, slugs, tiny salamanders, young snakes, bugs and earthworms. A lot of what these predominantly diurnal snakes consume relies on what they can track down around them. Ringneck snakes give off their venom through the massive teeth that are situated in their upper jaws. They use this venom, in conjunction with constriction, to paralyze their prey and go in to eat.

Ringneck snakes use venom to help paralyze prey animals, but they are often sought after as prey themselves. Some notable predators of the rather clandestine species are eastern screech owls, Virginia opossums, blue racers, northern coral snakes and wild hogs. In threatening situations, some ringneck snakes often twist their tails and elevate them while pointing them directly at the other parties -- a handy "back off" signal.