San Bernadino ringneck snake!

[Smokehound714]

Diadophis punctatus modestus, a beautiful snake.

Before posting further I must stress that these snakes are NOT a beginner's species.

You must do thorough reading about this genus before you even consider owning one.


Prey preference depends entirely on the species, and all have a specific type of prey that is REQUIRED for optimum health. Many people collect this species and ultimately end up killing them with stress and improper housing and care.

every species and subspecies of this genus has a specific preference for snakes, salamanders, frogs, and worms.

now for housing:

Wet coco fiber, mixed with sand. The sand improves the drainage, and enables water to reach the bottom. These snakes require moist substrate at all times, and will die if allowed to dry. After soaking the substrate, excavate a depression, and place a flat stone over the 'pit', leave a small gap for the snake to enter.

mist every day! introduce springtails and isopods to cut down on mold. This will also discourage mites.

When feeding, do NOT force-feed! Stress can kill these snakes rapidly! Instead, open the enclosure, and place another container beside it, containing prey. Allow the snake to poke out, and gently guide it towards the container. Placing a damp paper towel section in the feeding container will encourage them, as they seek moist areas.

Don't grab at them! Allow them to explore on their own accord. Place you hand beneath the snake and allow it to crawl on. IMO, these tame rapidly, it's just knowing how to approach them that's important.

Very handsome snakes, with neat behavior, somewhat similar to garter snakes, along with the same alertness and curiosity!

 

[Inverts4life1]

Great snake! Ringnecks are a very neat and interesting species.

 

[viper69]

These are great snakes and are hard to find in the wild at least out East. I was lucky and found one! I love them.

 

[BobGrill]

Beautiful snakes. I see ringnecks out a lot during the summer.

 

[Scorpionluva]

Yes indeed a very beautiful snake !!! As far as snakes that I can actually go find + catch in my area - the ringneck snake was always my favorite !
I would catch them just to show people how docile and gorgeous a snake could truly be. I would then return them to the same spot I found them since they are quite difficult to keep without complications
I used the same types of prey items for them as you listed and even took soil and rotted tree material from the same area I found them in with very little success
I'm glad you listed some things that work for you keeping them successfully. Now I'll be on a mission this spring/summer to find and keep some hopefully with more success this time !

 

[Austin S.]

I see so many of those out in the field in the summer, but man do they stink! They curl that tail, and I curl my nose!

 

[Smokehound714]

Yes indeed a very beautiful snake !!! As far as snakes that I can actually go find + catch in my area - the ringneck snake was always my favorite !
I would catch them just to show people how docile and gorgeous a snake could truly be. I would then return them to the same spot I found them since they are quite difficult to keep without complications
I used the same types of prey items for them as you listed and even took soil and rotted tree material from the same area I found them in with very little success
I'm glad you listed some things that work for you keeping them successfully. Now I'll be on a mission this spring/summer to find and keep some hopefully with more success this time !

The trick, IMO, is to offer the food, rather than just 'try' to feed them. wait until the snake is no longer coiled up, and is curiously looking around, and flicking its tongue like crazy. A big part of the difficulty is getting them to relax. If you notice the snake is breathing heavily, it's stressed out and likely will not feed, even with the proper prey items offered.

if they're slowly crawling around looking around and smelling everything, that generally means theyre pretty happy.