Distributing venomous snakes???

[shaggybill]

I was just pondering as I sat here on the couch and my mind wondered to places it has never gone before. And it wondered here...

Is it illegal to introduce a venomous snake to an area where they are not normally found. For instance, the Nothern Copperhead to north-central Indiana. If they can survive in Pennsylvania, then they could survive here.

Anyways, I was just wondering...

[dead bob]

It is usually illegal to introduce ANY non-native species into an area they are not normally found. The impact they can have on the local ecosystems is enormous. I would contact your local Game and Fish for the specifics. I hope your mind is just wandering and your not really thinking about releasing that in to the wild...:)

[shaggybill]

Yes, it was just something that crossed my mind. But I think it would be cool to have them around though. Oh well, :( I guess I'll just have to move down south...

[BWSmith]

Indiana is still a state? LOL ;)

[Gregg M]

Usually relocation of a snake means the end of its life....... They for the most part do not survive the transition...... They are unable to find proper dens and the stress of relocation knocks them off feed....... Not a good thing for the snake...... Never mind the fact that it is illegal to introduce ANY non-native species.....

[shaggybill]

I see. Well, theres a new fact for me to know.

thanks.

[Jeremy]

Uh, unless I have my facts mixed up you do have Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen in Indiana! A very good freind of mine used to live in the state and always told me about the coppers he would catch. The northern ssp was his favorite snake hands down, mostly because it was the only venomous snake he could find in the state.

Ill have to look in the book, "The Agkistrodon Complex" once I get my copy back. They have range maps in there that should hold the answer.

As for introduction, very bad idea! Even if im right and Indiana does have mokasen native, introduceing a specimen from another population could have horendous effects on the native populations. Then there is also the poor sucsess rate in survival from relocated Crotalids. Especaily those occuring in such northernly places were their survival depends on knowledge of a den location.

Check with any natural history musesums or zoological parks to make sure weather or not mokasen occurs in your range. If they dont were you live in the state, Id be willing to bet that they do in the southern half. If thats the case, simply drive to them!

All the best,
Jeremy

[shaggybill]

Yeah, I know they live in the southern half of the state, but I live about 2 hours from where their range begins. And my friends will call me a nerd if I drive that far to look for snakes. :)

[BWSmith]

I drive 12 hours at least to get to good herpin ground! If i dont feel like a weekend herping trip, i can hit middle GA in about 5 hours or so. You should be ashamed of yourself, not going 2 hours to herp :D

[shaggybill]

Hehe. I know, I know. I just must not be an avid herper like you guys. But remember, I'm new to this.

I am going down to South Central Florida here in a few weeks, so there ought to be good herping grounds down there. Its pretty close to the Atlantic, so I dont kow if that is an advantage or not.

According to distribution maps, the Eastern Diamondback, Cottonmouth, and Coral Snakes are in the area, but who knows how common they are.

I'll have to look up what else lives around there.

[Mustangrde1]

I live in South Florida Shaggy .The last few days we have hit the magic 80's so you should be arriving at the right time to find some nice Herps. If you can give me an Idea of where you will be going I should be able to point you in some right directions.Feel free to E-mail me anytime.

[shaggybill]

I'm going to be at Pt. St. Lucia and Hobe Sound. Pretty much in that vincinity.

[BWSmith]

South GA and Florida are god herpin.

[Mustangrde1]

Shaggy I live in St Lucie County. there are many good areas to be looking around here. Easterns are very difficult to find , corals and Moccs and Pigmys are much easier i would suggest cruising farm roads about 1 hour before to 2 hours after dark you should see a large varity of herps.

[shaggybill]

Sweet. Thats good about the Easterns cause I dont think I would want to come up on one just yet. Are there any other rattlers besides the pygmy around?

What about daytime herp hunting? Are there any parks or trails that would be especially good?

One other thing, down at Hobe Sound there is this road that runs from that town to the beach on Jupiter Island with woods, lots of pine, on either side for nearly half a mile deep or more, would this be good ground for cottons? There is a river that runs right through the middle of it.

[Mustangrde1]

Only rattlers this far south are Easterns and Pigmys , daytime herping is a hit or miss usually you find black racers , the best time is as i noted before unless you go out to the big O then you might find king snakes. the road your talking about is private property if it is the one i am thinking of. Go ahead and E-mail me at Mustangrde1@aol.com.

Im going out tonight with Cobraman to see whats around but im not holding my breath a cold front came through last night , ill let you know what we find

Scott

[cobraman]

I'm in St Lucie! You can come flip boards in my warehouse. You may find a lot of snakes that are NOT from FLorida :)

[shaggybill]

No thanks Cobraman, I want to live a wee bit longer...:D

Do you own a reptile store in the area? I thought I heard somewhere that you do.

[Mustangrde1]

Oh look Ray is still trying to get someone to catch that super rare and highly deadly Tokay Gecko. Shaggy if i were you though i would take him up on a offer, well to atleast come to the shop But if he mentions Tokay " RUN DONT WALK" its a rabid man eating flying purple tokay gecko. lol

:D

[shaggybill]

Whoa! I am not familar with the Tokay. But if there is a highly deadly, rabid, flying purple gecko on the loose, I dont think I want to come to Florida anymore. :)

[Mustangrde1]

Forget beware the Penguins , I would beware the wrath of Tokay
lol