The Ring-Necked Snake
All About The Docile Bright Bellied Snake
There's No Need To Fear Me
Although I am a snake, who are known to be a little higher up on the pyramid, I am part of the Colubridae snakes who are considered the lower class snakes. I am small and usually range from 10-15 inches and because I mainly munch on insects I would be apart of the secondary consumers. I am easy prey for larger Colubridae snakes.
Wetland Food Pyramid
My Colubridea Family
Geographic Distribution
Among the United States I am very wide spread and can be found almost every where (the blue)
A Day In My Scales
I have one of the largest geographic range of all snake species, but I still have my preferences. Generally, I desire an area with moistened soil and temperatures at 80-84 degrees Fahrenheit which is why I hibernate during the cold winters. I commonly live by swamps, grasslands, wetlands and woodlands. It is common to come across us in gardens but we are usually hiding under rocks, loose tree bark or leaves, holes in the soil or bushes. I prefer a single denning sight and am not known to migrate, for I usually stay at the same den for my whole life.
Reproductive Mechanisms
My Relations With The World
To insects, small lizards and slugs I am a predator, but I am also a prey. I am not large so I can be consumed by a variety of organisms. My biggest predators are coral snakes, king-snakes and racers who will eat me and my young. Wild hogs, opossums, shrews, armadillos, skunks, bull frogs are also fearful predators. Large spiders and centipedes are also dangers to my offspring who usually feed on them but because I do not care for my offspring there is no competition to try and protect them.
I'm Also Prey
Stay Away!
Health and Fitness
Citations
"Northern Ringneck Snake." Wildlife. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2016.
<http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/profiles/ringneck-snake.html>.
Millburn, Naomi. "Are Ringneck Snakes Poisonous." Pets. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May
2016. <http://animals.mom.me/ringneck-snakes-poisonous-5287.html>.
Willson, J.D., ed. "Ringneck Snake Laboratory." Savannah River Ecology. N.p.,n.d. Web. 2 May 2016. <http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/diapun.htm>.
"Diadophis Punctatus." Biokids. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2016.
<http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Diadophis_punctatus/>.
Yung, James. "Diadophis Punctatus Arnyi." Animal Diversity Web. N.p., n.d. Web.2 May 2016. <http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Diadophis_punctatus/>.
"Praire Ring-necked Snake." Missouri Department of Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web.2 May 2016. <http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/
Zimmerman, L. M., L. A. Vogel, and R. M. Bowden. "Understanding the VertebrateImmune System." Journal of Experimental Biology. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2016. <http://jeb.biologists.org/content/213/5/661>.