[1][2] Like D. p. punctatus, the Mississippi ringneck snake characteristically attains a maximum length of 44.5 centimetres (17.5 in).

The head is black and the body dark gray, separated by a golden ring at the neck.

The ventral side displays a yellow belly, transitioning to dark orange under tail.

[2] Their favored habitat is pine forests, timbered hillsides, broken fields near water, and the bottoms of ravines.

They can usually be found underneath logs, stones, and ground litter near stumps and tree bases.