
What do juvenile ringneck snakes eat?
Diet: What Do Ringneck Snakes Eat Frogs, small salamanders, slugs, lizards, earthworms, and the young offspring of other snake species make their primary diet list.
Do ringneck snakes need heat lamp?
Ventral heat not necessary, but UV lighting might not hurt. An incandescent bulb above the cage is recommended for providing heat, but it looks like ringnecks may prefer cooler temperatures. Branches might be used by the snakes for climbing and basking.
Is a ringneck snake rare?
Ringneck snakes are secretive reptiles. Largely due to their small size and nocturnal nature, they are rarely seen and presumed to be uncommon. However, one study conducted in Kansas suggests that they exist at densities greater than 700 - 1800 per hectare.
Does a ringneck snake bite hurt?
And even if they do so, the bite won't hurt and will only feel like a mild sting. Despite not having potent venom, ringneck snake bites may still contain bacteria, so it is highly advised to wash the bite wound right away to prevent it from getting infected.
Do pet snakes recognize their owners?
Snakes don't have great memory or sight, so won't recognise the look of their owner. They only have a good memory for smells as they rely on smell to locate prey in the wild.
Can I keep a wild ringneck snake?
It is worth noting thought that mostly because of their size and their shy personality, the ringneck snake is very delicate and is not necessarily a good pet for a first-time owner.
How can you tell if a ringneck is male or female?
You may be able to tell what gender your snake is by the shape of their tail. Male snakes have reproductive organs called hemipenes. The hemipenes are tubular-shaped organs that sit inside the snake's body just below the cloacal opening. As a result, a male snake's tail is usually thicker and longer than a female's.
How big can ringneck snakes get?
10 to 15 inchesThey are small smooth slender snakes with an average adult length of 10 to 15 inches, females generally larger.
Can I keep a wild ringneck snake?
It is worth noting thought that mostly because of their size and their shy personality, the ringneck snake is very delicate and is not necessarily a good pet for a first-time owner.
How do you take care of a baby ringneck snake?
12:2022:23Ringneck Snake Captive Care In-depth - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause they're offering the wrong kind of food most sellers and most of the care sheets which doMoreBecause they're offering the wrong kind of food most sellers and most of the care sheets which do exist say to feed them earthworms red wigglers that sort of thing basically like a garter snake.
What snake is best for beginners?
The 9 Best Pet Snakes for BeginnersCorn Snake – Pantherophis guttata. ... 2. California Kingsnake –Lampropeltis getula californiae. ... Garter Snake – Thamnophis spp. ... Rosy Boa – Charina trivirgata. ... Ball Python – Python regius. ... Kenyan Sand Boas – Eryx colubrinus. ... Ringneck Snakes – Diadophis punctatus. ... Brown Snakes – Storeria dekayi.More items...•
How big can ringneck snakes get?
10 to 15 inchesThey are small smooth slender snakes with an average adult length of 10 to 15 inches, females generally larger.
Are Mice Part of A Ringneck Snake's Diet?
Ringneck snakes do not eat mice, since mice are too large for such small snakes. Pet ringnecks prefer earthworms and slugs. In the wild, they also...
Do Ringneck Snakes Eat Each Other?
Although ringneck snakes have been known to eat baby snakes of other species, they do not eat their own kind. In the wild, they hibernate in coloni...
How Long Can Ringneck Snakes Go Without Eating Food?
Ringneck snakes in captivity usually feed every few days. They often will not eat when they shed. In the wild, ringnecks will hibernate and not eat...
What Do Ringneck Snakes Eat?
Pet ringneck snakes usually eat earthworms, slugs, mealworms, and sometimes crickets. They eat every few days. They also need a bowl of water daily. In the wild, ringneck snakes have a more varied diet with salamanders, small frogs and toads, small lizards, and baby snakes of species other than ringneck snakes.
Getting an Anorexic Snake to Eat
When a snake goes off its food, it’s said to be anorexic. This is not a good sign.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Ringneck Snakes Eat
Ringneck snakes do not eat mice, since mice are too large for such small snakes. Pet ringnecks prefer earthworms and slugs. In the wild, they also eat newts, salamanders, small frogs, small lizards, and even baby snakes, although they usually do not eat baby ringneck snakes.
The Least You Need to Know
No matter the species, ringneck snakes eat a wide variety of critters in the wild, including newts, salamanders, small frogs, small toads, small lizards, and baby snakes. They sometimes eat fish.
How do ringneck snakes talk?
Ringnecks “talk” to each other through touching and nuzzling the head and by releasing pheromones by rubbing against other snakes. They have perceptions of sight, touch, and smell. In the wild, the ringneck snake has enemies including many other species of snakes such as coral and king snakes.
What color is a ringneck snake?
The ringneck snake gets its name from the colorful band around its neck area. This band can be colored red, orange, or yellow.
What do ringnecks like to hide?
Ringnecks like to hide, so providing plenty of objects for this purpose will make it happy. This can be sticks, branches, or small rocks. Their terrariums can be lined with about three inches of soil, sand, or peat moss which should be kept moist. The ringneck will burrow into the soil and cover itself to hide.
What is it called when a snake hibernates?
In the wild, ringneck snakes hibernate. This is called brumation when it occurs with cold-blooded creatures. Brumation is a survival technique for cold-blooded animals. When temperatures drop during periods of cold weather, the snake slows down its body functions and reaches a catatonic-like state.
How big do ringneck snakes get?
A fully grown ringneck snake can grow to a length of between 10 and 15 inches. The length will vary depending on what subspecies the snake belongs to. In diameter, they grow to about the thickness of a pencil. The average weight is 1.32 grams.
How many species of ringneck snakes are there?
Their heads are the same size as the rest of their bodies which are covered with smooth scales. There are 14 recognized subspecies of the ringneck snake which include: Key ring-necked snake. Pacific ring-necked snake. Todos Santos Island ring-necked snake. Prairie ring-necked snake.
Is a ringneck snake venomous?
While the ringneck is technically a venomous snake and it is a constrictor, it is far too small to harm a dog in either of these ways. Their natural prey is very small reptiles, amphibians, and insects and nothing so large as even the smallest dog or puppy is in danger of being killed by this snake.
What Do Ringneck Snakes Eat?
In the wild, larger snakes would usually prey on relatively large creatures such as mice, birds, and in some cases, larger species have even been known to feast on cattle and deer. But this ringneck snake is far smaller and would struggle with even a small mouse.
What Should I Feed My Ringneck Snake?
If you go to any pet store, you will notice that there is a vast array of foods for these types of reptiles. In the main, ringneck snake owners might purchase crickets or mealworms for their pets, and this would provide them with a very healthy diet.
Things To Avoid Feeding A Ringneck Snake
As with any animal, it is important to avoid feeding anything to your snake that could cause her harm. Of course, one of the main things to consider is the size of the foods you are offering. It is essential to avoid giving your snake anything too large as she may not be able to manage this.
What is a ringneck snake?
This means that a full-grown ringneck snake pet will be about the size of many other baby snakes. While they are extremely common, these snakes are rarely seen because they are small, very shy, live in the forest, and spend most of their time hiding in places like rocks, logs, and leaf litter. Advertisement.
Where do Ringneck snakes come from?
Because ringneck snakes are difficult to breed in captivity, most ringneck snakes kept as pets come from the wild, whether they were captured by the owner or a snake dealer. While ringneck snakes are fairly common throughout North and Central America, there are some subspecies that are protected by conservation laws, according to Animal Diversity Web.
How to keep a snake from crushing?
Give your snake a shallow water dish that is not heavy, or it could crush the snake, according to the Backwater Reptiles Blog. Feed your snake two to four times a week. Most snakes will prefer earthworms, but based on the snake's native habitat, other insects may be preferred, such as crickets or slugs.
What color are snakes?
They have stunning colors that are prized among snake owners, with their backs generally ranging from black to brown to gray and bright stomachs ranging from red to orange to yellow.
How long do snake bites last?
While bites are very rare, when they do occur, Reptile Wikipedia says that they can last up to a minute, and the result is a slight sting and warm sensation.
Can a baby ringneck snake be raised?
A baby ringneck snake is born ready to care for himself and does not require help from his parent, so if you happen to stumble upon ringneck snake eggs and can successfully incubate and hatch them, you can raise the hatchlings just like you would an older snake.
Can a ringneck snake be held in one hand?
In fact, the tiny ringneck snake can be held easily in one hand —sometimes even happily curling around just one single finger. As a bonus, while larger snakes take up a ton of room, the ringneck snake often needs a tank only slightly bigger than a shoebox.
What is the best food for ringnecks?
Complete and Pelleted Food. Give your Ringneck all the nutrition they need with foods such as Lafeber NutriBerries, developed in 5 yummy flavours. Original – El Paso – Garden Veggie – Tropical Fruit – Sunny Orchard. All flavours have 40 nutrients Parrots need for good overall wellbeing.
What do ringneck parrots eat?
Complete or pelleted food should be 60-80% of their diet, with the rest made up of sprouting seed, fruits, vegetables, seed, nuts and other treats.

Earthworms
- While ringneck snakes eat a variety of different prey, their preferred diet is earthworms. In the wild, ringneck snakes will eat frogs, salamanders, and earthworms, but they’re not terribly picky when it comes to eating. While ringneck snakes will happily eat crickets and earthworms, they can also eat larger prey like mice and voles. Although they’...
Slugs
- Ringneck snakes are carnivorous and a valuable part of the ecosystem. They feed on various small animals, including slugs, frogs, and small lizards. While their main diet is composed of slugs, they also consume other types of insects, including earthworms. Because they feed on a variety of insects, ringnecks help control the fungi and other bugs in their habitat.
Crickets
- Many pet owners do not realize that Ringneck snakes eat crickets! However, these insects can provide a very nutritious diet for your snake. You should buy crickets from a pet store if you want to feed your snake crickets. If you do not want to purchase crickets from a pet store, you can raise them yourself. Just make sure that you feed your snake crickets only when they are fully grown.
Other Small Snakes
- In the wild, ringneck snakes eat a variety of small reptiles and amphibians, as well as the babies of other species. In captivity, they eat earthworms, but if you can’t find any in your area, you can buy some at a bait store or even a pet store. Although ringneck snakes don’t like rodents or mice, they will eat nightcrawlers, but these are usually too large for the ringneck.
Fungi
- It isn’t known exactly what Ringneck snakes eat, but this species does consume a variety of insects. As part of their diet, they also eat small lizards and frogs. Their diet also includes earthworms and slugs. While the snakes themselves may not be dangerous, they do play an important role in the ecosystem by eating other animals and fungi.
Leaf Eaters
- Ringneck snakes are a common sight in Virginia, where they are commonly found in leaves and piles of dead leaves. These reptiles have soft scales, but need moist habitat to survive. Stream banks and dense clumps of leaves are perfect habitats for a Ringneck snake. Ringneck snakes also like holes in the ground. These three habitat requirements make this snake ideal for Virginia.
Mice
- Ringneck snakes do not eat mice. Instead, they feed on other small animals, such as slugs and earthworms. They also eat salamanders and small frogs. Unlike most snakes, ringneck snakes do not feed on baby snakes. In fact, ringneck snakes are known to live for up to 20 years. In captivity, ringneck snakes live in colonies of up to 100 snakes.