Care Guide for Pet Ringneck Snakes
Ringneck snakes are shy and harmless, thus they make good pets for the novice. According to Donald L. Blanchard of the Morrison Natural History Museum, they do not typically grow too large and are typically one of the easiest snakes to keep. It is important to properly care for your pet ringneck snake.
You should provide adequate housing for your pet ringneck snake. One or two snakes may stay in a ten gallon aquarium, although a baby may be more comfortable in a five gallon. A sliding screen top is generally much more convenient and better fitting than a snap on. It also minimizes the chances of a snake escaping.
You will need a substrate for your tank. It should be approximately 2 to 3 inches and moist. According to ReptileBuzz, suitable materials include fine Caribbean play sand, peat moss, sphagnum moss and non-fertilized soil. You can use a mix of materials. Cedar and pine shavings should be avoided as they can be dangerous for these snakes.
There should be hiding areas within the tank. You can purchase a cave specifically made for that purpose or use a pot or container to make your own hiding area.
It is important to provide clean water for your ringneck snake. The container should be large enough to accommodate the snake’s body. The snake should not be able to tip it over.
You should heat part of the tank. Generally these snakes prefer 70 to 75 degrees during the day and 65 to 70 degrees during the night. The heated area should be 80 to 85 degrees. A heater under the tank, ceramic infrared heat emitter or incandescent heat bulb may be utilized. Heat rocks can cause burns and should be avoided. The heat should be turned off at night.
It is important to properly feed your pet ringneck snake. Insects such as earthworms and red worms can be given, but they need to be the right size. Try to find prey that is about one and a half times the largest girth of your snake. This will provide proper nutrition but not hurt the snake. You should generally feed your adult ringneck snake once a week and younger snakes more often. Some snakes eat less in the winter. Do not feed it near wood shavings or other items that could get mixed in with the food.
A ringneck snake can be a nice, quiet pet to keep. Be sure to properly care for your animal.