Florida Ringneck Snake

On the morning of July 9, 2019, as I happened to glance out my kitchen window, I saw it. "Hmmm," I wondered "could that be a juvenile black rat snake?" I couldn't tell from the distance so I came outside with my camera. I tip-toed to the snake at the side of my driveway and it quickly recognized my presence and started to scoot.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

I've previously seen a Juvenile Black Racer Snake on that same driveway, but this one looked a bit different. I was thinking it was a juvenile snake that I hadn't seen before.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

I had noticed that it seemed to have a light necklace-like band or ring around its neck. After trying to approach the snake a few times, it started to behave most curiously.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

The snake began to crinkle-up with little waves throughout its body. And, then I noticed how the tail was curled up as in a corkscrew or trying to look like a rattle of the rattlesnake. I could then tell that it had an underbelly that was red-orange.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

I left the snake at the edge of my driveway near the street, hoping it wouldn't take flight across the street and get run-over by a golf cart or car.

Coming inside, I Googled "black snake Florida" and glanced over the search images. I immediately spotted a similar snake with a red-orange belly. Ah! Florida Ring-Necked Snake, according to the University of Florida reference. There was or is no doubt in my mind that this is my snake!

I learned that this snake is generally six to seven inches to a max of ten inches. I didn't measure the snake per se, but can easily say it was definitely ten inches if not a little more. I'm not sure what it had been eating, but it has a diet of "earthworms, slugs, insects, tadpoles, small frogs, salamanders, small lizards, small snakes." I can say pretty much all that is in my front yard garden and yard with the exception of salamanders ... not sure I've seen any of those here in Leesburg, Florida!!

PREVIOUS SIGHTING

I didn't remember right off that I had previously seen a Florida Ringneck Snake here in Leesburg, Florida. Going back through my snake photos, I came upon this one and now knew it was a ringneck snake. It was back on October 16, 2018. I also saw this one on my driveway. Looking at the ring on this previous snake, it appears to be a different one.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

"Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and southeastern Canada." --Ring-necked snake Wikipedia reference.

The Florida Ringneck Snake is a secretive snake known for its nocturnal behavior. It was later in the morning that this snake appeared on the side of my driveway. Since we had some very strong downpours, it probably came up for air. This snake is slightly venomous with rear-facing fangs. I could see the feisty posture of the snake as I approached it.