Ring Snakes in Arizona

The ring-necked snake, sometimes known as the ring snake, is one of Arizona's many snake species. It is a medium-sized mildly venomous snake. The venom is not harmful to humans but is strong enough to subdue smaller prey animals. It is a distinctive looking species which is not often mistaken for any other native snake.

  1. Description

    • The ring-necked snake in Arizona grows up to 34 inches in length, and has a medium-thick body type. The back of the snake is dark, while the underside is brightly colored, ranging from yellow to deep red. It has a distinct brightly colored thin ring around the neck which gives the snake its common name. Male snakes tend to grow to greater sizes than females.

    Habitat and Range

    • In Arizona, the snake is most common in the southeast and central regions. It lives in a number of habitats including desert scrub, forest regions and grassy hillsides. Outside the state, the various subspecies of the ring-necked snake are common to the eastern and central U.S. The snakes are found from southern Canada to Mexico and westward to areas of the northwestern U.S. coast. Other habitats for the species not readily found in Arizona include swampy regions and more damp forest areas.

    Diet and Predators

    • The snakes use their mild venom to subdue small amphibians and reptiles as well as insects such as worms. The snakes will also use constriction by wrapping around the prey they have bitten to suffocate the animal, speeding its death. The snake's weak venom does not offer much protection from predators, so a range of snakes, hawks and predatory mammals all readily prey on the ring-necked snakes. America's largest frog, the bullfrog, also preys upon smaller, young snakes.

    Life Cycle

    • The ring-necked snake is a social species found in large colonies of sometimes more than 100 individuals. Spring and fall are the peak mating times, with the females laying clutches of between 3 to 10 eggs. Communal nests exist where several females lay their eggs together. Females show no further maternal care after laying eggs, leaving the eggs to hatch alone. In the wild, ring-necked snakes may live between 10 to 20 years, but are not as successful in captivity, only averaging around six years.