This is a sequel of sorts to my old post about tiny snakes that North Carolina gardeners are likely to find in their flower beds. After discussing eastern worm snakes, Dekay’s brown snakes, and smooth earth snakes, I wrote “If your garden is adjacent to a creek or moist woodland, you may find a redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), which resembles a brown snake with a bright orange belly, or perhaps a ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus), surely one of the prettiest North Carolina snakes. Keep your eyes open.“
I kept my eyes open, and five years later, I have seen both of those species on our property. Last week, we found a dead redbelly snake, which may or may not have been living in our garden (perhaps it was dropped by a bird carrying a big “worm” back to the nest, but it probably came from somewhere nearby). This week, I found a live ringneck snake underneath one of our cover boards. I was more than a little surprised to find a new species, given that I have been actively looking for snakes on this land since 2007, but I guess the cover boards are serving their purpose: giving us a chance to see secretive little animals that are rarely found in the open.
So, with this specimen, I have now found ten snake species on our two acres of North Carolina piedmont (eleven if I count the redbelly snake). That seems like a lot for one smallish area, but we have done our best to create a wildlife-friendly garden. It’s also important to note that those two acres don’t exist in isolation. We’re embedded in more than 1000 acres of more-or-less contiguous woodland which includes a large private property and the Eno River State Park. Wildlife moves around, and the health and diversity of nature on our property depends on its surroundings.
Can’t wait to see what we’ll find next.
Sweetgum and Pines 
It’s a pleasure to see your broad interest in the natural world being shared so much with your offspring. That is indeed a wonderful gift to them.
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