Gopher, back to the wild ? Cruel ?

My friend caught a gopher snake a while back, he had some wounds, at first it was a kind of rehab project but soon he got attached and kept it. Now however the snake hardly gets any attention and he probably isnt enjoying sitting in his tank just the same way his owner has lost interest., i think that since the snake has healed up he should let it go...what do you guys think ? would that be cruel ?

I think he should let it go.

how long has he had it as a pet?

not too long...a year at the most..

Since it's been in captivity so long it might be better if he could find someone who wanted the snake and give it to them.

If he has other snakes there is the remote possibility of taking a pathogen into the wild if it is released. Same for parasites and who knows what from the mice he has been fed.

Since I've done it with Callisto, I can assure you that it will be fine if it were to be released into the wild. I'm not so sure about this whole "pathogen" thing, but since Callisto's tank was on another floor I'm sure she couldn't have any pathogens that could be introduced into her home. Your friend's situation could be different though.

Yeah, a lot of people subscribe to the mentality that "once a captive. always a captive" because of the supposed spread of pathogens and whatnot. I mean, I'm not saying this doesn't happen when a snake is released back into the wild, but I don't think its as detrimental as people believe. I mean, do we need to completely disinfect our clothing and shoes everytime we take a hike through the woods? There's probably a number of things we humans already do whenever we enter nature that are a lot more critical than releasing a short-term captive back into its environment.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Since it's been in captivity so long it might be better if he could find someone who wanted the snake and give it to them.

If he has other snakes there is the remote possibility of taking a pathogen into the wild if it is released. Same for parasites and who knows what from the mice he has been fed.

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Agreed. I also agree if he does not want the animal anymore, to find someone who wants it. Releasing LTC's into the wild doesnt seem to be the best choice.

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Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

Yeah, a lot of people subscribe to the mentality that "once a captive. always a captive" because of the supposed spread of pathogens and whatnot. I mean, I'm not saying this doesn't happen when a snake is released back into the wild, but I don't think its as detrimental as people believe. I mean, do we need to completely disinfect our clothing and shoes everytime we take a hike through the woods? There's probably a number of things we humans already do whenever we enter nature that are a lot more critical than releasing a short-term captive back into its environment.

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Have you ever had a feeder rodent Necropsied? They carry all sorts of things. Things that are not always present in thier wild counterparts.

It's not that the snake in question won't survive, it likely will. But, why take the chance of taking something out that doesn't need to be. Suppose it's carrying a virus or bacteria that it picked up in captivity in SPITE of being in a different room. There are airborn nasties too.

The question was asked, answers have been given. Do what you feel comfortable with.

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Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

Yeah, a lot of people subscribe to the mentality that "once a captive. always a captive" because of the supposed spread of pathogens and whatnot. I mean, I'm not saying this doesn't happen when a snake is released back into the wild, but I don't think its as detrimental as people believe. I mean, do we need to completely disinfect our clothing and shoes everytime we take a hike through the woods? There's probably a number of things we humans already do whenever we enter nature that are a lot more critical than releasing a short-term captive back into its environment.

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I think we have so little evidence to support either side, that it may be best to err on the side of caution. Take the golden frog for example. I believe it was Tracy Barker that was doing a study on the golden frog in S. America and (I could be wrong, paraphrasing) Dave barker had said on Reptile Radio that the golden frog is believed to be extinct in the wild. All because of hikers propagating a fungus (I think, it could be something else) when they tracked through the jungle. The golden frog has been nearly eliminated from simply walking!

Considering I have to assume the rainforest isn't heavily populated, and nearly unknown to many on a close level, this little bit of influence has caused one species to disappear. How can we measure what else our little bit of influence is doing on local wild populations?

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But, why take the chance of taking something out that doesn't need to be. Suppose it's carrying a virus or bacteria that it picked up in captivity in SPITE of being in a different room. There are airborn nasties too.

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I'm perfectly aware of all this. But as long as the animal in question is healthy and native to the area its being released, I just don't think its a very big deal. Thats what I'm comfortable with, thank you.

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I think we have so little evidence to support either side, that it may be best to err on the side of caution. Take the golden frog for example. I believe it was Tracy Barker that was doing a study on the golden frog in S. America and (I could be wrong, paraphrasing) Dave barker had said on Reptile Radio that the golden frog is believed to be extinct in the wild. All because of hikers propagating a fungus (I think, it could be something else) when they tracked through the jungle. The golden frog has been nearly eliminated from simply walking!

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Word.

I mean, going by that, if we really, truly want to make a difference, we should never go into nature again and just stay in our buildings and cars. This is not feasible.

Its like choosing to be a vegetarian to help the environment, yet still own/drive a car. You're really not doing that much. So people need to practice what they preach before they get on to me about saving the world, so to speak.

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Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

I'm perfectly aware of all this. But as long as the animal in question is healthy

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Ohhhh, I missed the part about making sure it was healthy.

I take it for granted that since no one in this thread is a Vet., that one will be consulted, the snake will be taken in and checked for parasites, bacteria and possible viral infections. You see, short of that, there is no way to truly know if the snake is healthy or not.

Of course, if one is prone to ASSumptions........

He stated that it had healed up.

And how healthy is "healthy"? I mean, I dont think there's a living being on this planet thats 100% healthy; free of any and all possible ailments, diseases, disorders, parasites, etc. Where should one draw the line as to how healthy the snake in question should be to permit release?

Just food for thought...

If that snake was exposed to Crypto or any other fatal parasite/bacteria/virus, then how is the rescuer going to know??

It's just not wise to release any LTC animal back into the wild, regardless of how good the releaser's intentions are. The snake may be carrying something that wild snakes have never been exposed to, and then it gets spread like wildfire, killing off the native species.

Not something I would want to be responsible for..

Exactly.

IMO, this is about as important as worrying about contracting Salmonella.

I guess I'm alone on this one.

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Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

. Where should one draw the line as to how healthy the snake in question should be to permit release?

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This statement brings to mind the thread about newbs asking advice then getting mad when they don't hear what they want.

You've asked a question several times and gotten the same answer several times.

The line, for several posters, is once it's in captivity it stays in captivity. I'm sure you can see that.

You are alone, apparently, on this one. Draw all the allegories you want but the bottom line is that most feel it is better to be safe than sorry.

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Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

IMO, this is about as important as worrying about contracting Salmonella.

I guess I'm alone on this one.

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By the way, there is about an 80% chance that you do have the salmonella bacteria active in your system right now, quite possibly more than one strain of it. However, so long as you are healthy, not stressed, living comfortably in captivity, you will show no signs of it, even though you will expell it through your feces and other body fluids such as saliva.

But hey, go ahead and turn that guy loose. I mean, what the heck, he LOOKS goood. Right?

Indeed.

My point was that nature will often find a way. Mankind as a whole is a huge encroachment upon every other living thing we share this planet with, and yet we still worry about parasites that may or may not actually do a darn thing. But hey, I'll remain open-minded about this (contrary to what the snobs at BP.net think)...is there some evidence that proves releasing LTCs reptiles back into the wild is detrimental and aactually poses a large risk to the species in question? I'm not talking about soft, absorbant-skinned amphibians here; I'm talking reptiles. I'll read it if someone can post a link?

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This statement brings to mind the thread about newbs asking advice then getting mad when they don't hear what they want

You've asked a question several times and gotten the same answer several times.

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First of all, I'm not a newb. Secondly, I'm not the one who started this thread or asked for anyone's advice. We all just have different opinions and I'm trying to share mine. And right now, until someone shows me some of that bonafide evidence, nothing has changed; its merely your opinion against mine.