Escapee, recaught with baggage

[Tim C.]

There are other, greater interests to consider. When animal welfare and nature conservation are in conflict, nature conservation must be recognized as more important. Yes, this is an issue of nature conservation.


Don't do it. That's the absolutely worst thing you could do.


The laws of nature do not say how things should be. Also, we're not talking about breeds, we are talking about species.


That is absolutely no excuse for doing it deliberately.


By random genetic mutations becoming visible through inbreeding, not cross breeding.


And they set a piss-poor example, and they generally do not release the offspring.


1. It's not fine for them to produce hybrids and 2. it hasn't happened completely naturally.


And how do you figure that? Apart from me, nobody here would be prepared to use them as feeders. And note: I'm half a world away.


Listen to sound advice. You might not like what you hear, but don't do anything as stupid as releasing those offspring.

I agree with most the things you posted but with some of the answers you gave I think you may have misinterpreted what the situation is. From your comments I get the feeling you think my statements are different than they were. You need to read all the posts and not just the last few. I do appreciate your input, thanks

[Stefan-A]

I am just looking for insight on why one decision is better than the other as many have posted. I don't disagree with everyone, many have posted good suggestions.
Where do you keep your 40 snakes in little plastic prisons, stacked on shelves like they are a comic book collection so you can brag about how many you have. You cant possibly give 40 snakes the attention it takes to call them pets, they are merely livestock. Why do you care about my snakes if you treat yours like numbers? You have a right to your opinion as I have a right to disagree with it. If you feel like I asked a pointless question then refrain from posting pointless answers. Have a good day giving your snakes the attention they deserve for a maximum of .6 hours each if you stay up for 24 hrs.

What sort of attention do you think they need? They're not social animals, they don't get enjoyment from petting or being dragged out of their familiar surroundings and exposed and they're definitely not toys. Those who treat their animals "as numbers" are usually doing it right. Ideally, you'd treat them as houseplants or fish; See to their needs and keep your hands off.

I agree with most the things you posted but with some of the answers you gave I think you may have misinterpreted what the situation is. From your comments I get the feeling you think my statements are different than they were. You need to read all the posts and not just the last few. I do appreciate your input, thanks

Be specific. I was.

[Tim C.]

What sort of attention do you think they need? They're not social animals, they don't get enjoyment from petting or being dragged out of their familiar surroundings and exposed and they're definitely not toys. Those who treat their animals "as numbers" are usually doing it right. Ideally, you'd treat them as houseplants or fish; See to their needs and keep your hands off.


Be specific. I was.

My snake loves to held, whats more she likes to be rubbed fast and firm never striking but continuously coming back for more. When I open the door to her viv she comes to me like a dog. If you look closely at the pics you will see my snakes are holding me, with no attempt of escaping or showing signs of fear or discontent. Why have a snake if not to enjoy it and it you?

[Light of Dae]

I think it is awesome that you found her after such a long time. I think if anything was fate here is that you found her before she gave birth to the hybrids outside which would have really muddied the wild gene pool n been bad. It is awesome that she remembered you and stayed close to the house, Nevermind the fact she is an albino and survived in the wild that long.

I find it interesting thinking about her breeding with an eastern, like did she follow other Easterns to a nearby hibernation spot? How did she find it? The pictures of the babies are a hybrid for sure, showing traits of both species.

Anyways, more to the point of what to do now.
I agree 100% that they should not go to a pet store.
Please don't let them go! It wouldn't be 'natural' as Checkered Garters are not native to the area and this hybrid would never had occurred if people had not brought them into the area to be CAPTIVE.
I could see maybe selling a couple to a Kingsnake owner for 'treats' as a better solution then releasing them.
Killing them ... I couldn't do it unless they were suffering. The fact they are healthy... Personally I would let some forum members (Like Steve or Guidofather5 Or someone in your area(halfway across the world right?) like Greg or Chris in the UK) Let them pay for shipping and give them a good home.
You are responsible to ensure that these 'mutts' never get to breed.

Where do you live? This forum has members all across the world from the UK to USA to Canada. I'm sure that someone near you would love to help you out and take some of these little guys off your hands n give them good homes.


I don't want to sit here and accuse you of letting your snake escape. I had a snake (native to my area though) escape on me, as well many people have had it happen and well Sht happens. To put it bluntly. Now it has to be dealt with properly.

Please take care that none of them can escape again.

Garters are escape Artists in case you didn't notice lol.

[Stefan-A]

Why have a snake if not to enjoy it and it you?

It doesn't enjoy you.

[Tim C.]

Thanks to all who have given constructive advise and helped me make my decision. My cousin warned me that if I posted anything on this site I would get two good answers and the rest would be from self riotous know it alls. I feel I recieved more than two good answers, thanks to those who were constructive, Have a nice day.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks to all who have given constructive advise and helped me make my decision. My cousin warned me that if I posted anything on this site I would get two good answers and the rest would be from self riotous know it alls. I feel I recieved more than two good answers, thanks to those who were constructive, Have a nice day.

Bad form.

You are mistaking passion for self righteousness. Insulting comments will not gather you help.

[Light of Dae]

My snake loves to held, whats more she likes to be rubbed fast and firm never striking but continuously coming back for more. When I open the door to her viv she comes to me like a dog. If you look closely at the pics you will see my snakes are holding me, with no attempt of escaping or showing signs of fear or discontent. Why have a snake if not to enjoy it and it you?

I see both sides you and Stefan are talking about. Some people have them to breed them They are not pets and aren't used to interaction. They would feel like they are being drug out of their safe little homes right. And they would enjoy attention because they wouldn't have a clue as to what was going on if they ain't used to it.
Then there are people(like me and like Tim and many others) who have them as pets, and they do, yes enjoy being help n getting attention. Some are more apt to be social then others. Depending on any number of things like how they were raised and the personality of the snake itself. Some enjoy it, others put up with it.

I have some that love attention, and others that are happier being left alone(they are very young yet though and I will continue to pester them as I want them to get used to it and understand I am not trying to eat them lol)

[Tim C.]

Bad form.

You are mistaking passion for self righteous. Insulting comments will not gather you help.

Just repeating the warning that my cousin gave me. if you read my comment you will see I dont totally agree. Furthermore I have already been told by one of your members that is the norm here so apparently my cousin is not the only one who feels that way. Probably many more that agree I suspect. Made my decision, Thanks, Good day

[guidofatherof5]

Just repeating the warning that my cousin gave me. if you read my comment you will see I dont totally agree. Furthermore I have already been told by one of your members that is the norm here so apparently my cousin is not the only one who feels that way. Probably many more that agree I suspect. Made my decision, Thanks, Good day

Probably even more that don't. Good bye.