Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ringneck Snakes, common in alot of areas in the U.S. and really scarce in alot of others. I good day of snake-hunting in some areas will reveal sometimes 100 or more of these beautiful snakes. There are 12 sub-species of Diadophis punctatus throughout the U.S.(which I will not name here, email me if you really want to know). Each sub-species looks relatively the same. Some SS(short for sub-species)may or may not have a ring around around the neck, some have the ring interrupted. The snake itself will usually be a color black,gray,green,bluish-black or slate colored(with the exception of Will Still's). The snake's belly will usually be the same color as the ring, some SS's color changes to orange or red down at the tail. The belly of the Ringneck will be either yellow, orange or red. Ringneck Snakes do not like heat as much as other snakes do. I just have a heat pad under 1/4 of the tank. The snake goes there after a meal to digest food quicker. Ringnecks eat a variety of animals including salamanders, earthworms, new born snakes, ant eggs, termite eggs, slugs, small lizards, small frogs, fish(appearance of salamander hoping around) and sometimes small toads. Some SS will use partial constriction after they have their prey while others will just get dragged around the tank by it. Most SS of Diadophis have rear fangs which inject saliva into the prey. Some studies have shown that it may have venomous properties that will cause only a allergic reaction if a human got bit. They would most likely have to have your whole finger in their mouth for this to occur. People will say that Ringneck Snakes are not good for a beginning snake keeper, I agree. They are shy, nervous creatures that shouldn't be held for any period of time. Some get adjusted to captive life and accept food on all occaisions. Ringnecks are eligible to mate after their 3rd year. They mate in the spring, eggs are laid under rocks, in logs, etc. and may be laid in a communial nests used year after year. The eggs hatch 65 to 80 days later. The babies are 3 to 5 inches at hatching time. An adult Ringneck does best in a 20 gallon tank with soil as a substrate, plenty of flat rocks for hiding and maybe a section of bark. 2 to 3 can be kept in a 20 gallon enclosure, Ringnecks are not known to be cannibalistic and most commonly found with others in the wild. Ringnecks are very interesting snakes, not many have taken the time to study them fully like I have. Some individuals just prefer not to have them because they make bad pets, but they aren't if you give them a chance.
Michael Fedzen
ANY QUESTIONS>>EMAIL ME

You wern't kidding when you said you covered about everything...And you are right that they do make an excellent pet for the advanced keeper.
Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."