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Posted by regalringneck on April 11, 2003 at 18:15:00:
In Reply to: Okay, I'm a bit ignorant here... Regal ringnecks... posted by LAF on April 11, 2003 at 08:02:02:
Hello Lee, use the search feature on this & perhaps the FC forum to learn more about these facinating beasts. The Regal group are very different than your typical Northern & E. ringnecks. What I have learned via live feeding trials is that these enameled jewels are far more lethal to their prey than are coral snakes!
Heres a tidbit to begin with...C&B; jg
THE RINGNECK SNAKE (DIADOPHIS PUNCTATUS OCCIDENTALIS) - A VENOMOUS COLUBRID?
Ryan P. O'Donnell, Kevin Staniland, and Robert T. Mason, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
Ringneck snakes (Diadophis punctatus) have been anecdotally reported to be venomous. Previous studies describe extracts from the Duvernoy’s gland as containing phosphodiesterase and phospholipase activity, which are characteristic of many viperid and elapid venoms. Here we report the first dose-response curve for lethality of ringneck snake saliva. We intraperitoneally injected ringneck snake saliva (2-35µL) into 41 neonatal Northwestern garter snakes (Thamnophis ordinoides). The dose significantly affected the time-to-death. We also established that garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis and T. ordinoides) are a food item for ringneck snakes in our study area by examining the stomach contents of individuals captured in the field in Benton County, Oregon. Garter snakes extracted from ringneck snake stomachs may have been larger than the ringneck snakes that ingested them. We suggest that ringneck snake venom may have evolved to subdue larger prey items than the snake would otherwise be capable of handling.
:I always thought of ringnecks as inocuous little burrowers, but at least one person here, the namesake, suggests they may be quite interesting little predators. Anyone have any info on size, behaviour, venom etc. I know absolutely FA about these snakes but would be interested to learn a little. Many thanks, Lee.
