Keeping a Wild Caught King Snake.

[mistersprinkles]

With lower animals like fish, inverts, and reptiles, I don't think keeping wild caught is necessarily a criminal act. With mammals and birds, keeping wild caught is absolutely reprehensible.

If you can provide an adequate home, care for all current and future needs of the snake, and are able to permanently properly house the animal, I see no problem with keeping it.

There are some concerns about keeping wild animals for any period of time and then releasing them. Concerns that they might "Forget" how to be wild and properly fend for themselves. Particularly if they are switched to pre-killed food. I would say that if you are going to keep it, you need to keep it for the long haul, or make sure that someone with equal capabilities can house the animal when you are no longer able to do so.

I agree with treating for parasites. If you are going to have a captive animal, it should have all the benefits of captivity (ie, medical care). I would also suggest a trip to a reptile vet to establish that the snake has no problems, but you and others may think that is a step too far. At least treat for internal parasites, and make sure the snake has no mites, and ticks.