This is a well-camouflaged baby Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) slithering among the leaf litter on the forest floor. (lower half of photo, just right of center -- its head is next to the brown twig right in the middle)

Ringnecks are very small, secretive snakes -- this hatchling saw us approaching and tried to stay hidden as it scurried away as fast as it could through the leaf litter. It's only about the size of a big earthworm.

Middle Patuxent Environmental Area
8-18-07

This is a well-camouflaged baby Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) slithering among the leaf litter on the forest floor. (lower half of photo, just right of center -- its head is next to the brown twig right in the middle)

Ringnecks are very small, secretive snakes -- this hatchling saw us approaching and tried to stay hidden as it scurried away as fast as it could through the leaf litter. It's only about the size of a big earthworm.

Middle Patuxent Environmental Area
8-18-07