Collecting Gravid Females.

[brain]

If we give the babies a head start and release them into the wild, there is ALWAYS the concern of pathogens, seclusive diets, and (very importantly) the current impact of any introduction of newcomers to an existing population.

... and try to avoid commercial monsters like Petco! They are the epitome of apathy, when it comes to herp knowledge and maintenance. Steve

First, Steve I don’t think the weather is going to allow us to come to your lecture, it’s still snowing here. For sure in April

OK, taking no offence but just to add my two cents, concerning releasing snakes.

If the herp was a morph wouldn’t Mother Nature correct this? “It is the weakest link, good bye.”

So I collect a 0.1, she has her little critters, I let her go back to the area she was caught.

Now I have decreased the local population by what 10? Out of how many other gravid 0.1’s are in the area and how many other herpers are doing the same in this area (not a lot I’m sure).

As I have released her back into her world I just don’t see the harm?

Given these conditions while I have her;
1. her own outdoor habitat
2. provided aspen bedding
3. local hide and branches
4. water bowl, I am on a well
5. I provide her guppies, local slugs and WC salmon

My question in general is: “What pathogens do I expose her and/or the environment to?”

[infernalis]

we couldn't release captive bred into the wild because they wouldn't know how to survive

I once thought that way, as I mentioned earlier on in this thread, seen first hand that this is not true.

Xena has a pearly pink belly, not extremely rare, yet unusual enough that after raising 20+ some odd babies from her I noticed that every single one was born with the same pearly pink belly.

They were released last year at the beginning of September. 3 weeks later I found the first example, crawling across a pathway, I picked it up and immediately recognized it as one of Xena's litter, and the thing is this little snake had a very full tummy from goring itself on the plentiful slug supply, and without me rationing out the food, for once was able to eat its fill.

The second and third encounters were this spring, both were healthy (except one had some battle scars) and seemingly doing well.

One was also found severed in half by a bird who only ate the top 50 percent and dropped what was left in the creek, needless to say, I was bummed out a little, had to accept that nature is as nature does.

Natural instincts are very powerful, even when an animal that has been domesticated for centuries is forced back into the wild, many will revert back to the original wild state very quickly.

One example is "coy-dogs" some idiot throws a dog out of a car in the woods, Rover has been a family pet his whole life, suddenly will join a pack of coyotes and breed with them.

[Stefan-A]

Natural instincts are very powerful, even when an animal that has been domesticated for centuries is forced back into the wild, many will revert back to the original wild state very quickly.

Not quite the original state. They do retain a great deal of the original behavior patterns and instincts, but some of those instincts inevitably get lost over the millennia. But I agree with the point you're making.

[charles parenteau]

3 wc gravid flame .one is 30 inches long.

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[charles parenteau]

oops something wrong happened sorry about that,me and technology is two different things ,more pics soon.

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[infernalis]

Sweet, grumble grumble ha! (I'm so jealous I could scream)

Incredible finds....

[anji1971]

Charles, those flames are gorgeous!
Now I'm really upset that I won't be getting out to Quebec this summer.........

[charles parenteau]

HOnestly .i do collect gravid female,but i rellease them in the wild at the same location.
years after year I can see that thoses female are still alive and healthy.I n my photos there is one female that I caught 2 years ago ,still alive and good shape.I fed here with natural food (frog,toad, worms).

The 30 inches female i caught this years will return to the wild with her babies at the same location...you never know what the babies will look like,hope to have high red or orange.I keep babies because there is no effect on population .
Babies usually dies at 95/100 before reaching maturity.that why adult specimen are so important.

I do that since 1995 and I dont think is that bad...but I dont encourage theis if your an amateur without experience!
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[adamanteus]

I have released captive born neonates (Natrix natrix) into the wild before, so I understand your thoughts on this. I agree, it would be an invaluable experience and lesson for your daughters.
There have been other members who have argued quite strongly against this kind of release... for fear of introducing pathogens into a wild population. A very good and valid argument. My feelings.... it's a nice thing to do.

[Snake lover 3-25]

i plan on finding a way to get a male so i can do just that... i do want to increase my pop... but 2 or3 young would be picked off very quickly and so i want to breed 2 or maybe even 3 females at one time just to release the young and hopefully increase my local pop.