View Full Version : Breeding WC snakes
After the weather warms up and the snakes come out of hibernation (I'm in Utah) I plan on catching a few for temporary pets. If I were to put males and females together, would they be likely to breed? I'm not planning on keeping any permanently, I would just like to breed them if possible. Some of the snakes in my area include wandering garter snakes, great basin gopher snakes, and rubber boas.
Wow, that's the same snakes we have locally in the okanagan, BC Canada!! As for wanting to catch and keep any, I would check with your state laws first as it is illegal to keep any of these here. You should just buy a captive bred pair of snakes that you like and breed them, much better chance of success and much less stress to you and the snakes. Just my opinion.
Dave
I have checked the laws it's ok here :)
as long as you don't try to sell them
HeatherRose
02-21-05, 05:45 PM
Why not just leave the wild snakes in the wild? How do you benefit them by pulling them out of the wild and breeding them in captivity unless they're an at risk species?
Observe 'em, take pictures, keep notes... enjoy them that way :)
Originally posted by HeatherRose
Why not just leave the wild snakes in the wild? How do you benefit them by pulling them out of the wild and breeding them in captivity unless they're an at risk species?
Observe 'em, take pictures, keep notes... enjoy them that way :)
I dunno if I made it clear enough, but I don't plan on keeping the animals permanently. I will let ALL native snakes go, bred or not. I don't really see the harm in that...
Tim_Cranwill
02-22-05, 12:17 AM
So, you will catch and release the snakes? That is even worse (believe it or not) and that's not even mentioning the babies. Sorry, Dustin but it's not a good idea. If you want to breed something or keep a pet, buy one. At the very least, you'll have a better (as far as pets are concerned) animal and not mess with nature.
How is that worse? I'm not arguing, just curious
CamHanna
02-22-05, 08:40 AM
By bringing wild snakes into your house you could conceivably introduce them to domestic pathogens or parasites. When the snakes are released these pathogens or parasites could spread to the wild population.
gonesnakee
02-22-05, 03:56 PM
Something about someone grabbing me & throwing me in a small cage for their entertainment for a while, that just doesn't seem too appeasing, Mark
reptilesalonica
02-22-05, 04:06 PM
CamHanna has the right point.
gonesnakee, it would be great if all the times we could deal with CB reptiles only.
So many times breeders use WC animals in their breeding programs, so you (and me, and others) can have clean bloodlines in our collection ;)
~Greg~
I agree with greg - that is where all clean bloodline originated from
Tim_Cranwill
02-22-05, 04:22 PM
The wild <b>is</b> where new bloodlines originate from but that is a whole other issue than catching, keeping and releasing. That's the main issue here... at least from where I stand.
The spread of pathogens and parasites to your captive herps should be enough to convince you not to do it.
The bad bugs can very easely migrate to your stock...
Thats right Tim - there is no reason to do that - infact to put it bluntly it would be idiotic
wetlander
02-22-05, 05:10 PM
The spread of pathogens is bad enough, but even worse is that many species of snakes have a very distinct home range and removing them could cause unexpected death. I know I have mentioned this before, but Eastern Massassagas have died because they were moved 300 metres. Now try taking a snake out of the wild moving to your house, keep it for the summer then releasing it. Even if it is exactly the same location you could potentially confuse the snake and cause it to die since it can't find its hibernacula.
I don't think we know enough to even speculate what snakes use to know their location in relation to necessary habitats such as communal hibernacula. Removing them from the wild may easily cause their death.
Why not just leave the wild snakes in the wild? How do you benefit them by pulling them out of the wild and breeding them in captivity unless they're an at risk species?
I think if it as a species at risk it might even be worse. Guerilla reintroduction tactics are not the answer. THis should only be done by permitted groups with all the research, equipment and protocols that can guarantee success.
gonesnakee
02-22-05, 07:41 PM
As Tim stated catching it, keeping it for a bit & then letting it go is what my Sarcasm was aimed at in my post, we all know they all came from the wild orginally. If I could only count all the times as a kid showing up at home with whatever in a bucket only to be sent back to where I got it from to let it go LOL Mark
HeatherRose
02-22-05, 07:43 PM
I think if it as a species at risk it might even be worse. Guerilla reintroduction tactics are not the answer. THis should only be done by permitted groups with all the research, equipment and protocols that can guarantee success.
Sorry for the misunderstanding, I meant it would only be acceptable as a sincere and offical conservation attempt by the proper people.
lol mark
when I was a kid my mom got the park rangers to come and tell me that i will go to jail if I try to take home the garter and frogs I caught - I cried and took them back because I didn`t want to go to jail!
ChocoMeijin
02-22-05, 08:55 PM
LOL Now that's a mother! XD
reptilesalonica
02-23-05, 04:06 AM
Originally posted by Tim_Cranwill
The wild <b>is</b> where new bloodlines originate from but that is a whole other issue than catching, keeping and releasing. That's the main issue here... at least from where I stand.
I was replying to gonesnakee's post.
As for the issue here, I do agreed with you Tim.
fedupdon
03-14-05, 06:27 PM
I dont have a problem with what you are doing i pick up snakes off the road here lots of time its a race to see who can get to them 1st meor idot who wants to run them over and ive had w/c breed i pick up a pair of texas who breed with me holing them in my hands
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