Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am seeking advice on finding Ringneck snakes in Maine. I have yet to see one hear, and I everyone claims they are quite common, but these seclusive snakes just keep illuding me. Anyone have any advice on where to locate some within the state, or any good habitat tips? Also, when are the best times of year, in your experience, to seek Northerns?
Thanks,
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Phelsuma klemmeri
Coleonyx sp.
Rhacodactylus sp.
Pachydactylus(Palmatogecko) rangei
Tropiocolotes sp.
Hemidactylus sp.

I can't help you with where to look, in Maine.

Habitat wise, I've found them anywhere from dumps, to car lots, to wooded areas, junk piles, near streams, they will live just about anywhere.

They are most active in Spring, when it gets hot they might be a little harder to find, then they are active again around September, before going into hibernation.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com
^ Updated 11/29

well I forgot when I was typing this up, I did spot a young ringneck and a red belly on a fishing trip in the north of the state a few years back, in late October. It was very cold, 50 or so, and I found them both within 10 feet of each other, out in the open.

Thanks for the advice, I will focus my efforts more this spring in May or June when it is a bit cooler.

I think I just need to ajust my herping locations some this year.

Thanks,
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Phelsuma klemmeri
Coleonyx sp.
Rhacodactylus sp.
Pachydactylus(Palmatogecko) rangei
Tropiocolotes sp.
Hemidactylus sp.

In Vermont I've had the best luck on disturbed sites. Usually when I see them they are in one of three habitat types:

Logging trail heads with lots of woody debris such as scattered bark and piles of logs and with decent sun exposure.

South-facing slate slopes on the edges of small bodies of water (spring-fed lakes for example)

Or along large power line corridors with rocky or woody debris. In the last power line corridor I searched Ring-necked Snakes seemed to be the most abundant species, even over Gartersnakes. The surrounding habitat was very densely wooded and hemlock made up a large proportion of the covertype.

I gotta agree with you on the power line cuts. They're an excellent place to find snakes, including ringnecks. Also, they can be incredibly common under rocks on the slopes of hills, like you said. Never tried the logging habitat.

As a kid I'd often read that they were found in the woods. But I haven't found that to be the case all too much - for me, they're usually found in open areas.

Here's one found under a rock in a power line cut in Maryland.

Tim

Third Eye

I agree that trash dumps work, but also rocks along trails in the woods.

I'll note that I've also found them under rocks deep in the woods, but that's less productive than along trails.

Phillyherping

Never thought they were found up North . Thought such cold would keep them down south where the food supply is abundant from everything to worms to tiny ground skinks