Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Earlier this year I found a couple ringneck snakes and kept them overnight to take pictures and then released them. One laid two eggs, which I hung onto. They hatched today. I was planning on offering them small worms, but I don't think they are big enough to get one down. Any suggestions out there as to what to feed a baby ringneck?
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Kevin Collison
Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience-C.S. Lewis

Try choppin up the worms. If you can find some tiny salamanders those will work too. Goodluck!

where do you live? The local subspecies you have may determine what kind of food will work best. Northern Ring-necked Snakes where I live seem to be Red-backed Salamander specialists. In the southwest it can be hard to get them to eat anything that's not a lizard. Some varieties are prone to eat rodents. I don't know which subspecies specialize on which foods but if you post a location then someone around here probably will.

Also try talking to Mike Fedzen, he is the local ringneck expert here on the forums. His website is kingpinreptiles.com. Maybe he'll chime in here. Goodluck!!!

The key to feeding the little guys would be to first know what sub-species you have...

Some western sub-species eat salamanders and worms, other western sub-species will only eat snakes and lizards. Northern ringnecks prefer salamanders... Southern ringneck snakes will eat anything.

If you don't know what sub-species you have, give me an idea of where the snakes were found and I'll determine what you should offer them.

The key to getting them to eat though would be leaving them alone. Set them up, and don't disturb. If they just hatched they won't try to take food for a couple weeks anyways.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com

Thanks Everyone,
Mike, I found the mother in northern MI near Petosky. I assume that would make them northern ringnecks. I always find plenty of redback salamanders around there , but never any that these little ones would be able to get down. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
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Kevin Collison
Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience-C.S. Lewis

Yep, northern ringnecks... In a couple weeks try little worms or little salamanders.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com

It sounds crewel but if the salamanders you're finding are too large then you could always clip a cm or so off their tails. The tail will grow back at least and hey, it's not as crewel as killing the salamander!

Or feeding endangered Shorthead garter snakes
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