Ring-Necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) - Identification & Facts #3671473 (License: Personal Use)

The ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) features a sleek black body with a vivid orange or yellow crescent-shaped band behind the head; some subspecies show blue-white ventral patterning. It is small (12-18 inches), nonvenomous, and primarily nocturnal, feeding on salamanders, worms, and small frogs. Its defensive posture includes curling the tail tip to reveal bright coloration when threatened.

Used in educational wildlife pages, herpetology resources, and conservation websites; targets users seeking species identification, pet care guidance, or ecological information about North American reptiles.