Quote Originally Posted by mtolypetsupply View Post
What pathogens would a snake pick up from being in captivity? I have heard this numerous times, and don't understand, as no one has explained exactly what diseases/parasites occur that are not present in wild populations. From where would they get it? Are there pathogens that humans carry that are zoonotic (cross-species transferrable)? What about other animals, dogs, cats, etc.? If your other snakes are vetted clean, no parasites, what aren't the vets testing for that can be transmitted?

Any links to veterinary journals/resources pertaining to those diseases/parasites and any scholarly journal/resource articles pertaining to the infection of native populations would be appreciated. I don't have a college library close enough to access those things.

I don't have any links for you but somebody else may. all pathogens occur or originated someplace in the wild, and can be anywhere at any time. But all pathogens are not all over the place, some are in this area, others are in another. the problem, is that a snake who is exposed to one thing and tolerates it, carries it to a region where that pathogen is foreign and can potentially wreak havoc. Happened to some guy trying to "repopulate" spotted turtles... now if I can just find where I read that. I'll look around, it was on some forum somewhere!!! Exposure can be as simple as you going to your friend's house, sitting outside on the grass in their yard, coming home and checking on your snake.