info on snake found
Posted by Liam McMahon on August 20, 2006
Q: I found a snake in my backyard. It is black with orange belly and ring around its neck. It was found in a wooded area near the saint John river. I would like to know what type of snake it is and what it likes to eat?
I would also like to know what is the best thing to feed my red belly salamander that I found in the same area? Can you feed them fish food or do they need small worms etc?
Thank you.
Liam
Habitat: forest/open woods
State: New Brunswick
Habitat: forest/open woods
A: Your snake is a Northern Ringneck Snake. These snakes are totally harmless and feed on a variety of live foods - insects, spiders, frogs, salamanders and other creepy-crawlies. Since they're small snakes and need live foods, they can be very difficult to keep in captivity so you may want to enjoy for a few days and then release.
Your salamander is a total carnivore like the snake - it eats other animals and no plant material. Again these guys are difficult to keep in captivity without the proper foods. Fish food is inappropriate and worms (earthworms?) are too. They may eat a worm or two but this wouldn't make an acceptable long term diet. Again, I'd recommend that you enjoy for a while then release.
John Wiessinger ( August 20, 2006)