Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Would a ringneck snake be a good first snake for a 10 year old.I don't wan't a snake that bites much,isn't very big and usually eats worms and fish.
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Thank You,
Brad S.

Off the top of my head, I would say no. I had ringneck snakes when I was 10, and I know alot of others that had them at that age as well. But trusting a child with such small delicate snakes would not go too well. Also alot of ringneck snakes can be picky feeders for a long time, and a small child may not agree with some of the things that you would have to feed one.

Mike
Michael's Place

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In my experience with ringneck snakes
they are very picky eaters. And a very secretive snake seeming to be nocturnal.
I have kept probably 4 over the years and they seem to musk every time they were handled.

I would consider a garter or possibly a captive breed corn snake

they are very picky eaters. And a very secretive snake seeming to be nocturnal.
I have kept probably 4 over the years and they seem to musk every time they were handled.

They are nocturnal, but alot of the ringnecks I have had over the years would come out at any time during the day. Some would even bask under heat lamps. I rarely have ringneck snakes musk me, usually only when they are recently caught or just arriving from being shipping will they musk. They are not picky to the least bit, you just need to give them what they want.

Mike
Michael's Place

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what do you feed your ringneck snakes?

Well, it depends really, on sub-species and the specimen in question. All 3 of the adult Southern Ringneck snakes I have go crazy over worms or fish put into their enclosure, and feast away once a week. I have 2 small(6"Northern Ringneck snakes that live in a small tupperware container, once a week I take the lid off and hold up worms. The snakes are used to this routine and will eat in my hand. Some, like Regal Ringneck snakes go crazy over other snakes. All of the ones I ever had ate the day I got them. My 2.2 adult NorthWestern Ringnecks have barely fed since I got them, I am hoping they all just start feeding on snakes like the females have. I suspect they will feast on salamanders. Most of the Northerns I ever had preferred salamanders, some specimens ate worms, I had an adult female last year that ate neonate snakes, worms, frogs, salamanders and fish. They aren't difficult feeders.

Mike
Michael's Place

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Michael's Place has updated, better caresheets
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake