Almost Stepped on this Pacific Ringneck Snake During our After Dinner Walk Around the Lake where we live. It popped up in front of me. Though these secretive & hibernating reptiles are endemic to California, variations of them can be found in other parts of the country. They have a colorful underbelly and red rings around its neck perhaps to trick its predators into thinking they are toxic. I was relieved to discover they are not poisonous. They are venomous but their venom is not fatal. They seem to thrive in wooded areas and around the edges of ponds & lakes similar to the terrain our townhome is located.
