The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: This secretive snake has a patternless gray or olive green coloration with smooth scales. Its underside is a vibrant yellow or orange with black speckling and the underside of the tail is red.

Although called the ring-necked snake, Utah specimens are unique in that they lack the ring that is present in this species nearly everywhere else within their range. 

Size: A slender-bodied snake, oftentimes no larger around than a pencil. They average 18 to 24 inches in length.

Range and Habitat: Due to the secretive nature of this species in Utah, the extent of their range is not fully known. They likely occur through the majority of the western half of the state in a wide variety of habitats. These habitats include grasslands, semi-arid foothills, arid footslopes, semi-desert shrublands, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. Associated plant life includes sagebrush, juniper, pinyon pine, gambel oak, maple, and ponderosa pine. This snake is most commonly encountered below 7,200 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The Western Yellow-bellied Racer gets much larger and has a cream or yellow ventral that lacks red. 

Possible Range

Known Range