How to Feed a Southern Ring Neck Snake

Southern ring-neck snakes are native to the southern U.S. Feeding these small and reclusive snakes can be difficult because of their instinctive desire to hide. Exotic pet suppliers may sell captive bred Southern ring-necks that may become used to handling, especially if raised from babies. Removing your snake from the main cage for feeding prevents it from associating feeding with the opening of the cage. According to the University of Florida, a ring-neck snake will coil its tail and may emit a foul scent when it feels threatened. A wild-caught Southern ring-neck snake is likely to die in captivity, in part because it may refuse to eat.

Things You'll Need

  • Prey animals
  • Water bowl
  • Plastic bowl
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase or capture crickets, grasshoppers, slugs, small earthworms, salamanders, small frogs, lizards, skinks, smaller snakes and assorted insects. Keep a separate terrarium stocked with assorted live food.

    • 2

      Kill any creatures prior to feeding if there is any chance of it fighting back and biting or scratching your Southern ring-neck. If purchasing newborn mice, guppies, minnows or other perishable foods, feed them while still fresh or store in freezer. Try to feed prey to the snake that is slightly larger around than your Southern ring-neck; avoid feeding it large prey.

    • 3

      Place your snake's food in a plastic bowl with holes in the lid. Remove your snake from its terrarium and place it in the bowl. This helps prevent ingestion of soil and other terrarium substrate.

    • 4

      Provide constant access to fresh water. Adult Southern ring-neck snakes generally eat the equivalent of six small worms each week. Offer food about once weekly for grown snakes or twice weekly for young snakes; adult ring-neck snakes are about 10 inches long.