Description: The typical total length of an adult Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) varies somewhat by subspecies but in general it is about 11 - 16 inches. Hatchlings are much smaller and longer specimens are sometimes found. This subspecies typically gets to 18 inches. The record length is 33-5/8 inchea. A small, thin snake with smooth scales. Gray, blue-gray, blackish, or dark olive dorsal coloring, with a bright orange to reddish underside, lightly speckled with black markings, heavily speckled under the chin. The underside of the tail is a bright reddish orange. A narrow orange band around the neck, 1.5 - 3 scale rows wide.

Habitat: Prefers moist habitats, including wet meadows, rocky hillsides, gardens, farmland, grassland, chaparral, coniferous forests, mixed woodlands.

Range: This subspecies, Diadophis punctatus occidentalis - Northwestern Ring-necked Snake, is found along the northern California coast from Sonoma County to the Oregon border, and inland through the coast ranges, and north through Oregon into southern Washington, with isoloated populations in Idaho.

Found in these States: CA | ID | OR | WA

Diet: Eats slender salamanders and other small salamanders, tadpoles, small frogs, small snakes, lizards, worms, slugs, and insects. The mild venom may help to incapacitate prey.

Reproduction: Females are oviparous, laying eggs in the summer, sometimes in a communal nest.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the very large and probably relatively stable extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size. This species is not threatened in most of its range.

Taxonomy: