Breeding Rescued Snakes

[Bruce Whitehead]

I think it is fine, depending on the animal.

If you take on rescues your number priority is ALWAYS the well-being of the animal. Never breed an animal that is not acclimated and fit to breed.

That should be any animal keeper's motto.

I have many rescues and a few that I have not ruled out breeding someday. But my concern when acquiring them was never whether or not they would breed.

But I do think we can at times get a bit overly emotional when we see mistreated animals and we get this notion in our heads of "just let that sweet snake live out its life in peace".

And somehow breeding that same snake becomes off-limits, when at the same time, I personally do not know that breeding a snake does not provide it with a novel experience that may actually benefit it.

Does that snake want to live out its life "in peace" or does it want to complete several life cycles? Not that it consciously wants much, but you get the gist?

In the case of any snake that is scarred or otherwise permanently disfigured I would get a vet OK, and talk to several breeders that have experience before making that decision.

But a scar does not mean a snake cannot breed. Much depends on severity, where it is, etc. Same with previous RIs. A snake that has been compromised is at greater risk, so precautions need to be taken, as well as ensuring the resources are available should that happen again.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

Bruce