Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii | |
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Northern ringneck snake | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Diadophis |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | D. p. edwardsii
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Trinomial name | |
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Merrem, 1820)
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Diadophis punctatus edwardsii,
.Etymology
The
Description
The northern ringneck snake has a body color from bluish grey to black, with a complete narrow yellow or orange ring around its neck and an underside matching the ring and generally lacking any dark spotting or patterning. The complete ring and lack of large dark spots on the belly differentiate it from other subspecies of D. punctatus.[5] In some regions, there are areas of intergradation with other subspecies. Generally from 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 centimetres) in total length (including tail) as an adult, it can reach more than two feet (61 cm) in length.[6]
Geographic range
In
Behavior
D. p. edwardsii is
Habitat
The favored
Reproduction
A female D. p. edwardsii will lay her
Hibernation
In the winter D. p. edwardsii hibernates in locations from stone walls or cellars to small mammal burrows to brush piles or rotting logs.[citation needed]
Diet
D. p. edwardsii preys upon insects, salamanders, earthworms, slugs, small lizards, small snakes, and frogs.[9] The red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) is a favorite food.[citation needed]
As prey
D. p. edwardsii is known to be preyed upon by bullfrogs, toads, five species of predatory birds and six mammal species including shrews. Very young Northern ringneck snakes may also be eaten by large centipedes or large spiders.[citation needed]
References
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2009) |
- ^ Species Diadophis punctatus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Beltz, Ellin (2006). Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America – Explained. http://ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html#E
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi, p. 81).
- ^ Edwards, George (1764). Gleanings of Natural History, exhibiting figures of Quadrupeds, Birds, Insects, Plants, &c ... Part III. London: Royal College of Physicians. page 290. [1]
- ISBN 0-307-13666-3. (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi, pp. 160-161).
- ISBN 0-395-19977-8(paperback). (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi, p. 172 + Plate 25 + Map 133).
- ^ Schmidt KP, Davis DD (1941). Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii, pp. 111-112 + Plate 10, bottom).
- ^ Conant R, Bridges W (1939). What Snake is That?: A Field Guide to the Snakes of the United States East of the Rocky Mountains. (with 108 drawings by Edmond Malnate). New York and London: D. Appleton-Century. viii + 163 pp. + Plates A-C, 1-32. (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii, p. 36 + Plate 3, Figure 8).
- ^ a b Wright AH, Wright AA (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Ithaca and London: Comstock. 1,105 pp. (in two volumes). (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi, pp. 185-190, Figure 59 + Map 20 on p. 179).
Further reading
- ISBN 0-394-50824-6. (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi, p. 601).
- Merrem B (1820). Versuchs eines Systems der Amphibien: Tentamen Systematis Amphibiorum. Marburg: J.C. Krieger. xv + 191 pp. + one plate. (Coluber edwardsii, new species, p. 136). (in German and Latin).
External links
- Linzey, Donald W.; Clifford, Michael J. (August 2002). Snakes of Virginia. University of Virginia Press. pp. 74–76. ISBN 0-8139-2154-6. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- Fergus, Charles (2000). Wildlife of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. Stackpole Books. pp. 396–397. ISBN 0-8117-2899-4. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- Watkins-Colwell, Gregory J. (4 June 2006). "Northern Ringneck Snake". Online Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Connecticut. Yale Peabody Museum. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- Christie, Peter (December 1997). Reptiles and Amphibians of Prince Edward County, Ontario. Natural Heritage. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-1-896219-27-1. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
Northern Ringneck Snake.
- Vigil, Stacey. "Ringneck Snake". Snakes of Georgia and South Carolina. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Herpetology Program. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- Study of Northern Virginia Ecology, Island Creek Elementary School: Fairfax County Public Schools, 31 July 2006, archived from the original on 9 February 2008, retrieved 22 August 2009.
- ISBN 978-0-8203-2652-8. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- Northern Ringneck Snake, Natural Resources Canada.