Northern Ringneck Snake

This snake is easy to recognize. Its back and sides are a shiny bluish-back, but around its neck is a ring of yellow-orange. The yellow-orange or red-orange colour continues down the belly. Ringnecks are most common in southwestern and eastern mainland Nova Scotia; reports from northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island are rare. This is a woodland snake, most common near the shores of ponds, streams and bogs. During the day Ringnecks hide under rocks or fallen logs. At dusk they become active, hunting salamanders. Their favourite food is the Red-backed Salamander.

Females lay several yellowish-white eggs in damp places like under rocks or rotting wood, in open areas exposed to the sun's heat. Sometimes many females lay eggs together in a group nest. Adults are usually 20 to 30 cm long.

Ringneck Snakes are known for wriggling along the foundations of buildings and hibernating there. They may sometimes find their way into buildings.

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