Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I have and breed several exotic snakes and have a great interest in native snakes of my area. I have never even observed a ringneck but last week found one at work with an injury to its tail. I looked it up on my Blackjack and read they can sometimes be very tricky feeders so I knew this was coming. This individuals tail is doing much better now and I am getting ready to let it go however I would like to keep it if I can get it to eat. I read they take small bugs and earthworms. I put some substrait from the yard in with it witch came with a pincher bug, clearly he wont take it as its still there. I put a couple of crickets in with it and they were ignored. Lucky for me I know and earthworm farmer yes I know I know but its true there are worm farmers so I went to him and got a single worm that I figured was the right size but it to has been ignored. Any suggestions on getting him to eat? I will only be trying for maybe another 3 days to another week and then I will just let it go.
Foot Hill Reptiles

I have fed them tiny guppies dropped right infront of them while alive the fish flapping around sparked their feeding response .
guppies not golds as the fish must be very small.
insects have never worked dont think they will eat that

by the way your site doesnt list prices

I don't list prices because currently I don't have anything available. Still waiting for eggs this year. As soon as I have some I will list prices for them
Foot Hill Reptiles

Knowing what the sub-species you have is, that way you can find out what it's preference for food is.

There are some sub-species that will only eat snakes and lizards, and won't go near salamanders.

Some that will only eat worms.

Then some that will eat everything you throw at them.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com

Although the range map may not completely agree it most closely resembles a Prairie ringneck. It was found in Amador county just outside of Jackson, California.
Foot Hill Reptiles

Apone further observation possibly a North Western Ringneck.
Foot Hill Reptiles

in your range. That's what I assumed you had.

NW ringnecks are EXTREMELY difficult to work with.
A couple years back a friend of mine and me obtained 2.2 each, adults, to work with, and establish in captivity.

Wow.
I don't know what it is with these guys, but you just can't get them on a feeding schedule, out of the 8 we had between us, we had less than half take meals.

We assumed they only eat several months out of the year. But were unable to prove it, as after about half a year of working with them we gave up on them.

I had success getting one of mine to eat baby snakes.
He had success getting some of his to eat baby snakes and tree frogs, but for the most part he was force feeding them.

I tried everything with them.
No luck with worms, salamanders, fish, no luck with those.

I'd say just let it go, or try salamanders.

Good luck though.

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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com

That picture you have looks just like this one. I think I will just let it go. Thanks for the info.
Foot Hill Reptiles