Diet and Hunting: Ring-necked snakes are a type of rear-fanged snakes with two small fangs in the back of their mouth, used to deliver a mild venom to their prey. Harmless to humans, this venom is produced from the Duvernoy’s gland located behind the eyes. From there, the venom is delivered under a low pressure flow unlike true venom glands which are high pressure to deliver large amounts of venom quickly. The venom of these snakes is only used when feeding, to help subdue their prey and break down the animal in combination with constriction. Prey of the northern ring-necked snake includes slugs and earthworms although their favourite is the red-backed salamander. They digest these salamanders using phospholipases in their venom, an enzyme also found in the venom of vipers and elapids. Despite this, ring-necked snakes are not considered medically significant to humans and bites are extremely rare.
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Sources:
"Northern Ring-Necked Snake." Ontario Nature, 2021, ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/northern-ring-necked-snake/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2021. O'Donnell, Ryan P., et al. "Experimental Evidence that Oral Secretions of Northwestern Ring-Necked Snakes (Diadophis punctatus occidentalis) are Toxic to their Prey." Research Gate, Toxicon, Dec. 2007, www.researchgate.net/publication/6149229_Experimental_evidence_that_oral_secretions_of_northwestern_ring-necked_snakes_Diadophis_punctatus_occidentalis_are_toxic_to_their_prey. Accessed 7 Dec. 2021. |