Mixing species?

[Didymus20X6]

I remember reading a report a couple of years ago about a den of Red-Siders being relocated due to construction or the like. Some scientists took it as an opportunity to study the relocated snakes, most of which were taken to dens a good distance away and tagged. The following year, they managed to locate close to 70% of the relocated snakes. Not only were they still alive, but they had acclimated to the new dens very nicely. What happened to the other 30%? Who knows? Possibly natural predation or natural death, possibly some simply weren't found for whatever reason. Still, with a 70% chance not only of survival, but of being located the following year, that's not bad at all.

I also think about some of Steve's snakes. I remember he told the story one year of one of his prized males escaping for an extended period of time, and actually turning up alive and healthy a year later.

Now, here's the thing: a captive snake does have a much stronger chance of survival. But keep in mind, this is because the owner is providing a predator-free comfortable environment, relatively clean and free from parasites, and a steady supply of food. In the wild, a snake has to deal with hostile creatures, competition for food, and less-than-ideal living conditions. So it does stand to reason that a snake in the wild has an overall less chance of survival. But this in and of itself does not necessarily mean that a captive-bred snake cannot survive. Only if the snake lost their natural instincts and senses while in captivity would that be absolutely the case.

[Bart]

I always been curious, if garters would survive in such climate as in Central Europe. And if they could mix with Natrix natrix. probably not, as grass snakes do lay eggs afterall and garters don't. Just my five cents.

[Spankenstyne]

I remember reading a report a couple of years ago about a den of Red-Siders being relocated due to construction or the like. Some scientists took it as an opportunity to study the relocated snakes, most of which were taken to dens a good distance away and tagged. The following year, they managed to locate close to 70% of the relocated snakes. Not only were they still alive, but they had acclimated to the new dens very nicely. What happened to the other 30%? Who knows? Possibly natural predation or natural death, possibly some simply weren't found for whatever reason. Still, with a 70% chance not only of survival, but of being located the following year, that's not bad at all.

Here's an interesting pdf regarding relocating wild garters to another den site. The natural return rates to the winter dens seem to normally be about 32% according to this study (32.5% in this study) & the introduced tagged population had a similar rate at 30%. Perhaps you had those percentages mixed up?

http://www.srd.alberta.ca/Biodiversi...arterSnake.pdf

Shows that relocation can be doable under the right conditions.

[Spankenstyne]

Here's an interesting pdf regarding relocating wild garters to another den site. The natural return rates to the winter dens seem to normally be about 32% according to this study (32.5% in this study) & the introduced tagged population had a similar rate at 30%. Perhaps you had those percentages mixed up?

http://www.srd.alberta.ca/Biodiversi...arterSnake.pdf

Shows that relocation can be doable under the right conditions.

Bad link, here's the right one: http://www.srd.alberta.ca/Biodiversi...arterSnake.pdf