Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus

Size: 10 - 14 in
Distribution
Statewide.  The ringneck snake, like the western worm snake, is a fossorial snake, preferring to live under rocks and debris, eating worms, slugs, small insects, and even small salamanders.  There are two varieties of ringnecks in Oklahoma, the Prairie (D. p. arnyi) and the Mississippi (D. p. stistogenys).  The Mississippi is found in Oklahoma only in southern McCurtain Co. in the extreme SE.  Ringnecks have a bright orange to red belly, which they display to potential predators as a form of mimicry.