are wild snakes ok??

[ThamnophisManiac]

i was just wondering if catching a wild snake might be better than buying one. i read, though, that 80% of wild caught snakes die within the first couple weeks, and that they are more aggresive than store-bought ones. i also heard that baby wild ones would be ok to catch and raise, but where would i find them??

[adamanteus]

The best choice is to buy captive bred stock from experienced keepers/breeders, but wild caught Garters usually do fine, as long as you give them the proper environment.

[poissonguppy]

I have two 'wild' baby garter plains. They eat readily on pinkies and earthworms. Here's a nice page on the pro's and con's:

The Garter Girl! - Choosing a Snake

[adamanteus]

Hey Bibi, I have Plains Garters (had them many times before too) but mine have always been captive bred. I'd love to hear more on your experience with wild caught T. radix.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Garters do real well in general if wild caught...not all, but most of the w/c I have had survive...on in particluar was an adult when I caught her, lived for 8 years!!!!

[Sid]

From personal experience, I strongly disagree with the problems you mention in your post. However, I do recommend you isolate any wild caught speciman for several weeks from any others you may have, keep a close check on it for mites or signs of any parasite problems.

Allow your wild caught snake several days to adapt to a confined enviroment before feeding and you'll likely have no trouble.

Sid

[Elliot]

From personal experience, I strongly disagree with the problems you mention in your post. However, I do recommend you isolate any wild caught speciman for several weeks from any others you may have, keep a close check on it for mites or signs of any parasite problems.

Allow your wild caught snake several days to adapt to a confined enviroment before feeding and you'll likely have no trouble.

Sid

I agree, I've never had a problem.

[stonyloam]

I like my WC snakes. I wouldn't worry too much, they are pretty tough little critters. The scars on a couple of mine are pretty good indication of that. I think the advice to keep the WC and CB snakes isolated is very good. I may be wrong (it has been known to happen), but I think the WC snakes would be much more tolerant of parasites, and also more adaptive to their environment with temperature control being much less critical than for CB (maybe just a basking light). I would think that if they will eat well and tolerate handling they should make a great pet. They can be released back in the wild. I have one gravid female (eastern) that I am planning to release after she has the babies (most of the babies too). Just keep looking and you should be able to find one. Good luck!

[ThamnophisManiac]

ok thnx lots

[ThamnophisManiac]

anyone know the best place to catch snakes?? i live in a fairly populate area. i have woods behind my house with a stream through em, but other than that no real marshy places or anything.