Field Guide to Maryland's Snakes (Order Squamata) Sub-order
Serpentes, Family Colubridae Northern Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii Southern Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis p. punctatus Diadophis p. punctatus X edwardsi Photo
of Northern Ring-necked Snake courtesy of Linh Phu Photo of
Southern Ring-necked Snake courtesy of Matt Close 10 - 15
inches. Record - 27¾ inches. Primarily found in hardwood and
mixed pine-hardwood forests, but will also occur in agricultural
lands next to woodlots and backyards. Usually found associated
with moisture. How to Find A secretive nocturnal species. Look
under coarse woody debris and junk piles and within rotting logs
in moist (mesic) woodlands. Young are often discovered in
residences after first cold of late Summer/early Fall. Will not
bite when handled but may discharge foul-smelling feces and
musk. Non-venomous. Distribution in Maryland The Northern Ring-
necked Snake is found west of the Chesapeake Bay. The Southern
Ring-necked Snake and the intergrade are foun