This is a "contest" a reptile zoo near me is having

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Originally Posted by ride_gnu

Because my snake was captive bred he has never lived in the wild and never will. Therefore never having expereinced the wild will never know of the wild. Also I doubt any captive bread snake will ever reach 30' +.

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All reptiles are wild animals. They have all their pure instincts and are not domesticated in the slightest. Any snake or reptile you have in your house is a wild animal, even if it was never in the wild.
Like when people raise feline cubs to adults, they are still wild animals.

Unfortunately, there will always be a wild caught trade for the appearances of some unusual wild caught snakes. Naturally, by buying any snake or reptile, you will always be enforcing snake catching because we are all feeding the trade of reptiles.

Also, I do believe that the 48 year old ball python (oldest recored) was a wild caught ball that lived in a zoo it's entire life. But I can't find any support of that, however, I assume breeding was unknown 50 years ago with ball pythons and would presume it senseful for it to be wild-caught.

I think its pretty irresponsible of them to even talk about this whether its a joke or not. They're basically telling people to go out and catch snakes...what about the people who just want the prize and go out catching things they don't know about....what if they pick up a nice big fat rattlesnake and get bit? They may not be ignorant but I'm sure some of their contestants will be....

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

All reptiles are wild animals. They have all their pure instincts and are not domesticated in the slightest. Any snake or reptile you have in your house is a wild animal, even if it was never in the wild.
Like when people raise feline cubs to adults, they are still wild animals.

Unfortunately, there will always be a wild caught trade for the appearances of some unusual wild caught snakes. Naturally, by buying any snake or reptile, you will always be enforcing snake catching because we are all feeding the trade of reptiles.

Also, I do believe that the 48 year old ball python (oldest recored) was a wild caught ball that lived in a zoo it's entire life. But I can't find any support of that, however, I assume breeding was unknown 50 years ago with ball pythons and would presume it senseful for it to be wild-caught.

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This is no longer a discussion on reptile but Empirisicm. What we do not experience we do not know. I disagree with what you are saying, but that is another topic:gj:

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Originally Posted by Luke Martin

I think its pretty irresponsible of them to even talk about this whether its a joke or not. They're basically telling people to go out and catch snakes...what about the people who just want the prize and go out catching things they don't know about....what if they pick up a nice big fat rattlesnake and get bit? They may not be ignorant but I'm sure some of their contestants will be....

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I agree with you on this one.


I just want to know why they don't have a reward for a giant bull snake, about 2 years ago I saw a bull that streached almost all the way across a small road (had to be 6+ft long) and I went to thier site and it said bulls only get 3-4ft maby 5ft at max. I even pulled one off a busy road once that was as as long as I am tall (5ft 7in)

(my bumper sticker reads I stop for snakes)

It's interesting where this reward has received this much attention since we put it on our website... This reward has actually been offered by Reptile Gardens for over 60 years and for over 100 years by other institutions. Anyway, It's my way of stopping all of the rediculous calls and emails about the 8 and 10 foot rattlesnakes everyone sees but never seems to catch. Same for all the other species listed. Before I put it on our website I would get calls, usually from South Carolina that literally said " Will you guys pay for an 8 foot rattlesnake?" I say "Yup" and they say "I'll send the boys out to get you a few this afternoon" Never to hear from them again.

All of the sizes are within the genetic possibility for the species and Yes, we will pay the dollar amount but like I said, it's been out there by ours and other institutions for over 100 years...

Also, I state on our site that Bullsnakes in South Dakota are typically 3-4 feet. Which is accurate. In other areas of the country I have personally found 7 foot specimens. I also tired of hearing that bullsnakes stretch from one side of the road to the other. ONLY, if you cut them in half with tail at one end and head at the other. Seriously, measure a road... need to be a lot bigger than almost 6 feet to do that...

Anyway, it's good fun. It's certainly listed for some entertainment and educational value, but we would absolutely pay it if someone found one and delivered live and in good condition.

We also state that we highly recommend that people don't attempt the capture of any such specimens...but at the end of the day, most of the calls I ever get for large rattlesnakes and such are after the fact... I have to draw the line at other peoples need to be responsible for their own actions/stupidity/ignorance. So I have to disagree that it is irresponsible of us to list it...

Cheers!
Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens

So, if I'm out hunting giant pacific gophers and get bitten by a giant pacific rattler, you guys not only won't cover my doctor bills but aren't responsible for my stupidity, er getting bitten in the first place?

Why, however can that be?

(no answer necessary, it just flows better that way)

they are wanting world record caliber stuff. the world record for a retic is 33'. anacond 32' or so. so if they have these world record caliber animals in their collection it will bring them much attention.

i have no problems w/ taking wild animals or farming them as long as it's done responsibly. there is def. a plus to securing a continued income off of these creatures in the wild...it ensures their survival.

if there was no value, native folks would have very little reason to do nothing but eat them.