| Species | Diadophis punctatus (Linnaeus, 1766) |
| Family | Colubridae (Colubrids) |
| Status | none |
| State Rank | S3S4 |
| Global Rank | G5 |
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This is a small, dark snake with shiny scales and an orange band or “ring” around the neck. The underside is bright orange. In the Northwest, they rarely exceed 55 cm in total length. The dorsal coloration is slate gray to greenish gray. The bright orange ventral scales have scattered black spots. The orange ventral coloration darkens to red under the tail. Scales are smooth with 15 rows of dorsal scales at mid-body. Pupils are round. Juveniles resemble adults. No obvious external features distinguish males from females. See Photos Page.
There are no other snakes in Washington with this distinctive coloration. See Key Features Page.
Little is known about this secretive snake in Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Herp database contains records that indicate they have been found active in March at Camas, Clark Co. (1951) and as late as October 26 on the south side of Cowiche Mtn., Yakima Co. (1991).
The main distribution in Washington follows the east slope of the Cascade Mountains from the Ellensburg area south to the Columbia Gorge and west to Longview. They also occur along the eastern portion of the Snake River. Distribution is likely continuous between the Klickitat and Yakima county records but there are no records in the WDFW herp database to support this. Isolated records of individual snakes are known from Colfax, Whitman County (1937, 1938); McNary National Wildlife Refuge, Walla Walla County (1975); and two locations in Cowlitz County: Kalama (1959) and at the confluence of Mill Creek and Columbia River (1982). See Distribution Map.
For information on the complete range of this species, see NatureServe Explorer.
Habitat association studies have not been done in Washington. Based on collection and observation records, Ring-necked Snakes occur in ponderosa pine- Oregon white oak, mixed forest and shrub-steppe. Occurrences in shrub-steppe are often associated with riparian areas. Ring-necked Snakes are secretive and rarely surface active during the day. They are usually found by searching under woody debris, rocks or on roads at night.
The current rank is based on the assumption that Ring-necked Snakes are more common than current records indicate because 1) it is difficult to find small, secretive snakes, 2) the records are primarily from opportunistic encounters not systematic surveys, and 3) they occupy a variety of habitat types suggesting they are able to adapt to a variety of habitat conditions. Current status of populations along the Snake River is unknown because all records are more than 20 years old. Lack of records is assumed to be due to lack of survey work and not actual decline of the species.
All observations should be submitted to the WDFW herp database by contacting Lori Salzer by E-mail salzeljs@dfw.wa.gov. Of particular interest are observations from the Snake River area and observations that occur outside the known distribution. Basic life history and habitat information pertaining to Washington occurrences are also needed.
None
At this time, little is known about factors that may threaten populations. Down woody debris, fractured rock, and loosely compacted rock are generally considered important for maintaining this species. However, St Johns (2002) describes finding them under coverboards placed in an area with no natural woody debris or rocks.
Nussbaum et al. (1983), St. Johns 2002
Hallock, L.A. and McAllister, K.R. 2005. Ring-necked Snake. Washington Herp Atlas. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/
Last updated: December 2005