How to Feed Ringneck Snakes

Ringneck snakes are totally harmless to humans and can be identified by their ring just below their head. Ringneck snakes are generally shy creatures as they usually venture out during the nighttime hours, which is when their food source also wanders around. Smaller ringneck snakes will feed off of earthworms, while larger ones will prefer salamanders, lizards and other smaller snakes. If your snake isn't eating earthworms, there are some techniques to help feed your snake.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Earthworms
• Salamander

1. Buy a bunch of earthworms. These can be found in regular pet stores.
2. Mix the earthworms with the soil you have in the terrarium.
3. Stir the dirt once a week to see if there are any earthworms left. If not, buy some more and put them in. You will soon learn how much your ringneck snake likes to eat.
4. Consider hand-feeding your snake to reduce the amount of unwanted materials being digested by your snake. This can also allow them to be more manageable and social to you.
5. Start feeding them two to four earthworms each week. The snake may refuse to eat, which could be for various reasons. If its eyes are milky, it will soon shed, and probably isn't interested in food.
6. Rub a salamander on an earthworm before feeding it to your snake if it refuses to eat an earthworm. This will leave a salamander scent on the earthworm and could trick your snake into think you're serving its preferred prey.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep pill bugs/sow bugs in the terrarium as well, to reduce the amount of dirt mice.