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Ringneck snakes belong to the genus Diadophis, which is a name derived from the Greek word diadem, meaning
"headband," and ophis, meaning "snake," Combined, the two words refer to the light collar or neck ring present in most
ringneck snakes. The word punctatus comes from the Latin punctum, meaning "spot," and refers to the spots found
on the ventral surface of the snakes.
There are 12 subspecies of ringneck snakes found over much of the eastern and
southern parts of the United States as well as parts of the Pacific Coast states. Ringnecks are a flat-headed gray, blue-black
or black colored snake often having a yellow or cream-colored collar around the neck. The collar in some subspecies is either
incomplete or missing altogether. The belly varies from yellow to orange or red-orange in color often accompanied by dark
spots. Adult snakes range from 10-27 inches in length. Females lay 2-10 eggs in late spring or early summer, which hatch 45-60
days later. Hatchlings average 3-6 inches in length. Ringneck snakes may live upwards of 10 years.
Ringneck snakes are typically common to find in the wild even in some urban areas, however they are not well suited to
the amateur snake keeper. They are edgy and nervous creatures which should not be handled unless necessary. When handled,
these snakes often excrete a foul smelling musk. Ringneck snakes are difficult to adapt to captive settings and may be quite
fussy about accepting food. However, once an individual does start eating their appetite is usually hearty.
In the
wild, ringneck snakes are secretive and fossorial preferring habitats that have plenty of moist leaf litter, loose soils,
or other objects they can burrow under to hide from view. These primarily nocturnal snakes require a 10 to 20-gallon sized
terrarium enclosure with a peat/soil/cypress mulch substrate of 3-inch depth. They also require bark strips or other items
for hiding areas. Soil should be kept partially damp (not wet) and stirred once a week to keep it loose and easy to burrow
into. Replace the soil 2-3 times a year to prevent excessive mold or bacteria buildups. These snakes exhibit some minor climbing
ability that can be adapted to with the addition of potted plants or vines in the tank. Fresh water in a shallow water dish
must be available at all times and provide a light daily misting of the enclosure.
The temperature range preferred
by these snakes is 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain the enclosure's ambient temperature using a low watt basking light or
heat emitter. If using a basking light, those that are red, blue, green, or purple colored rather than white may encourage
some daytime activity of the snake. Under-tank heating is usually not required and high temperatures can lead to fatal dehydration
of the animal. Include temperature and humidity gauges within the enclosure to monitor the environmental conditions. Some
UVB fluorescent lighting may be beneficial, but probably not necessary due to their fossorial nature. In the evenings, turn
off any light fixtures that use white or bright lights to prevent disruption to the snake's day and night cycles.
Earthworms,
small salamanders and small insects make up the bulk of their natural diet. However, these snakes also prey on small frogs,
salamander eggs, small snakes, small lizards, slugs, and grubs. Prey such as worms, grubs, and certain types of insects that
feed on detritus materials in soil can be left within the terrarium as a ready source of food for the snake. The weekly stirring
of the soil allows for regular monitoring of prey food remaining available to the snake within the terrarium. Keeping pill
bugs / sow bugs in the terrarium will help to keep soil mite problems to a minimum as they often out compete the mites for
food.
Ringneck snakes are somewhat social in nature; however keep in mind that they are also occasionally cannibalistic
so think carefully if you choose to house them in groups or with other small species of snakes.
While these snakes
are rarely inclined to bite, they do possess enlarged rear teeth that are used to help push saliva into their prey. The snake's
saliva is believed to have some mild venomous-like properties that may cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals,
however, the chances of these small snakes being able to bring those rear teeth into action in terms of biting humans is very
slim.
Useful References
Barnard, Susan M. 1996. Reptile Keeper's Handbook.
Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.
Behler, John L., and F. Wayne King. 1988. The Audubon Society Field
Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Knopf, New York.
Conant, R. and J. Collins. 1998. Reptiles
and Amphibians, Eastern/Central North America. Peterson Field Guides. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, NY.
DeVosjoli,
P. 1995. Basic Care of Rough Green Snakes, Including Notes on the Care of Brown Snakes and Ringneck Snakes.
Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc., Santee, CA.
Ernst, Carl H., and R. W. Barbour. 1989. Snakes of Eastern North
America. George Mason University Press, Fairfax, VA.
Linzey, Donald. W. and Michael J. Clifford, Snakes
of Virginia. University Press of Virginia, 1981.
Mitchell, Joseph C. 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia.
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.
Rossi, John V., Snakes of the United States and Canada: Keeping
them healthy in captivity, Volume 1: Eastern Area. Krieger Publishing Company, 1992.
Rossi, John V. and Roxanne
Rossi, Snakes of the United States and Canada: Keeping them healthy in captivity, Volume 2: Western Area. Krieger
Publishing Company, 1992.
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