Diadophis punctatus stictogenys

Diadophis punctatus stictogenys, commonly known as the Mississippi ringneck snake, is a subspecies of Diadophis punctatus that is indigenous to the United States.[1][2]

Diadophis punctatus stictogenys
Mississippi ringneck snake

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Diadophis
Species:
D. punctatus
Subspecies:
D. p. stictogenys
Trinomial name
Diadophis punctatus stictogenys
Cope, 1860

Description
Ventral side of Diadophis punctatus stictogenys, showing the characteristic coloration and paired blacks spots.

Like D. p. punctatus, the Mississippi ringneck snake characteristically attains a maximum length of 44.5 centimetres (17.5 in). The head is black and the body dark gray, separated by a golden ring at the neck. The ventral side displays a yellow belly, transitioning to dark orange under tail.[2] It can be differentiated from D. p. punctatus, with which it intergrades, by its black ventral markings that present as irregular black spots or paired black spots down the middle, rather than the a single row of black spots found in D. p. punctatus.[1]

Geographic range

It is found in the eastern half of the United States, throughout most of the southeastern states and into the central states, including as far north as Illinois.[2]

Habitat

Their favored habitat is pine forests, timbered hillsides, broken fields near water, and the bottoms of ravines. They can usually be found underneath logs, stones, and ground litter near stumps and tree bases.[1][2]

Reproduction

A female will lay a clutch of 2–8 eggs under rocks or moist and rotting wood. The eggs hatch after about five weeks.[1][2]

Diet

These snakes prey upon small vertebrates and small invertebrates, including insects.[2]

Predation

They are preyed upon by birds of prey, other snakes, and bullfrogs.[2]

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References
  1. Mount, Robert H. (1975). The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama. Auburn, Alabama: Auburn Printing Company. pp. 181–182. OCLC 1958638.
  2. "Diadophis punctatus stictogenys (Cope), the Mississippi Ringneck Snake". The Yale EEB Herpetology Web Page. Western Connecticut State University. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
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