Two questions I've been wondering about

[mtolypetsupply]

Can snakes be microchipped like dogs, cats, horses, etc are?

I've never heard of a snake "registry" like other animals have. With the intense genetic studies and breeding programs people have I'd think there would be one. Is there one? If so, do people use it or is it all but defunct?

[infernalis]

We had a big discussion once on Kingsnake about that subject.

It was interesting, however not nearly as effective as keeping them secure in the first place.

See if a cute little doggy runs away, there is almost always someone who will pick it up and take it home..

However if a snake should escape your home, it will most likely never be seen again, Not even by another human.

Unless of course it is something large and aberrant, then it can be worse yet (Like the story Shannon shared about the big albino that was decapitated.)

So in a nutshell, micro-chipping a snake is not likely going to be very effective.

[adamanteus]

I guess micro-chipping might be useful to prove ownership of dangerous exotics, or if a snake has been stolen. But I'm not sure if the relative lack of sub-cutaneous fatty tissue on a snake might make it uncomfortable for the animal anyway.

[infernalis]

Wow James, that aspect never got brought up at all.

Someone has his thinking cap on

I can imagine that a snake would find anything lodged under it's skin to be annoying, possibly even to the point of rubbing the spot against things to try and get rid of the new "parasite"

Venomoid Inc. Uses tattooing on the roof of the mouth to prove de-venomation, According to their web site.

But then again, if your Viper or Cobra was found, I honestly think it would be a "Shoot first, ask later" situation anyways.

[mtolypetsupply]

See if a cute little doggy runs away, there is almost always someone who will pick it up and take it home..

I'm picturing James and Ernestine all mad because I won't give them extra pinkies... so they slither away, holding little hobo sticks (you know, with bandanna pouches hanging off them) in their tails!

I was thinking about the microchipping more for verification purposes. I have a friend who breeds pythons, and have heard horror stories about the scams in the big snakes. Then again, it would only be as good/accurate as the person /vet doing the chipping, I guess.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I wouldn't recomend it with garters.....the microchips are the size of a grain of rice...they are inserted with a 14 gauge needle....very large needle for these smaller snakes...they are great for dogs and cats..but little snakes theey could be a problem.

[Zephyr]

However if a snake should escape your home, it will most likely never be seen again, Not even by another human.

Never say never.

I lost one of my male wanderings 3 times; once outside and twice in the house. He was gone outside for a month, and I found him "running" across the lawn.

[infernalis]

Kyle, I never said never...

[reptile3]

if anyone looses a cat, it will most likely be at my house!!!
my neighbor calls it the Cat Buffet!!!

[infernalis]

if anyone looses a cat, it will most likely be at my house!!!
my neighbor calls it the Cat Buffet!!!

Here they just drop them off out front