This snake is a Ring Necked Snake. Its Latin name is Diadophis punctatus and it is not dangerous. The US only has 4 venomous snakes; the Coral Snake, the Rattlesnake, the Copperhead and the Water Moccasin. None of these are black with an orange ring.
This snake is small. It can grow up to 12 inches long but is often smaller than that. They are very thin - almost pencil like - and their colours slightly vary; some can be black, some a dark grey; some with an orange band, some with a yellow. Their underside also varies between a creamy colour and yellow, darkening near the tail.
Alternatively known as the Southern Ringneck Snake, it is a secretive and nocturnal creature. They are very slightly venomous, but, their fangs are extremely small and rear-facing, meaning they would have an extremely challenging time trying to bite even a small child's finger, and no chance with an adult.
Its staple diet is earthworms, slugs, small lizards and amphibians and other newborn snakes. It lives in woodland, particularly preferring logs and bark. It tends to live near water, so sometimes it does go for particularly woody gardens because of this moisture. To take advantage of hot weather these snakes do make holes and burrow under rocks. They often come out during cloudy weather to gain heat. The snakes usually mate in spring, laying eggs through June to August depending, and hatching in August and September. They lay around 10 eggs.
In the event of being bitten you should keep calm - given the rarity of venomous snakes - and make a note of the colour, markings, behaviour and habitat of the snake. Clean the area thoroughly as soon as possible and make sure you or a friend alert the authorities. If you feel you have been poisoned DO NOT RUN as this will speed up the blood flow and move the poison around quicker. You should also keep the bitten part of your body lower than your heart.
This snake is small. It can grow up to 12 inches long but is often smaller than that. They are very thin - almost pencil like - and their colours slightly vary; some can be black, some a dark grey; some with an orange band, some with a yellow. Their underside also varies between a creamy colour and yellow, darkening near the tail.
Alternatively known as the Southern Ringneck Snake, it is a secretive and nocturnal creature. They are very slightly venomous, but, their fangs are extremely small and rear-facing, meaning they would have an extremely challenging time trying to bite even a small child's finger, and no chance with an adult.
Its staple diet is earthworms, slugs, small lizards and amphibians and other newborn snakes. It lives in woodland, particularly preferring logs and bark. It tends to live near water, so sometimes it does go for particularly woody gardens because of this moisture. To take advantage of hot weather these snakes do make holes and burrow under rocks. They often come out during cloudy weather to gain heat. The snakes usually mate in spring, laying eggs through June to August depending, and hatching in August and September. They lay around 10 eggs.
In the event of being bitten you should keep calm - given the rarity of venomous snakes - and make a note of the colour, markings, behaviour and habitat of the snake. Clean the area thoroughly as soon as possible and make sure you or a friend alert the authorities. If you feel you have been poisoned DO NOT RUN as this will speed up the blood flow and move the poison around quicker. You should also keep the bitten part of your body lower than your heart.
