Posted by Rachel Morin on September 18, 2005

Q: My friend and I found a baby snake (ring snake) in the road. We know it is not dangerious but we don't know what to feed it. Please help and tell us.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Florida

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: Ringneck Snakes live across much of North American but your snake is a Southern Ringneck Snake if it was caught in Florida. This is a beautiful snake that doesn't get very large (only 10-14") so your snake may not be a baby at all. You noticed that it isn't very active and that's because these snakes are mostly active at night not during daytime. Your snake is going to want to be hidden during the daytime when you're able to enjoy it. For this reason, they don't make the best kind of pet.

Their food preferences include salamanders, earthworms,lizards and frogs although they will eat other small animals too.

I'd like to recommend that you enjoy your snake for a short while and then release it in a wooded area near your home. Your snake won't do well in captivity as it's likely to prove difficult to feed. If you really want to have a snake as a pet, I'd suggest you get one from a local pet store that will be active during the day and also will be easier to feed and house. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( September 19, 2005)