don't get me wrong here... over 90% of the herps I have had were captive bred. there were the odd one or to I got from rescues(removals from houses) and then there are the one or two that no-one has bred and would really like to get captive bred specimans avaliable to people...like u lol! I would never keep a specimen that I can get CB... or that is protected

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Don't be jealous the voices only speak to me...

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I'm kinda split down the middle on this subject, the last two herps ive captured(both would have made fine herps ornate box turtle, speckled kingsnake) were released back into the wild when I was done photographing and/or videotaping them. I really wanted to keep them but I didn't wanna mess with the dwindling population of herps here in north texas. My opinion on the matter though is that if the species isn't threatened(or getting there) and you can truly take adequate if not more than adequate care of the herp, then go right ahead and keep it as a pet. For instance in louisiana there is a booming population of common green anoles, i think those are great herps for kids to try and take care of if they research what the anole needs(heck when I first saw them I wanted to keep them as pets). My first captive herps were wild caught by me, i have a musk turtle that I hatched from an egg that I took from the wild and he's still with me, happy as a lark in his enclosure. One thing that does irritate the **** out of me is the capture of boxturtles, selling them to petshops where they receive inadequate care, and then the boxturtle gets sold to someone. I don't support petshops that practice this because, in my opinion, is the reason for the dwindling populations of box turtles. basically to sum it all up


threatened and/or rare animals = do not take them out of the wild period take your photos and let them be on their way.
highly common = go right ahead but you better take good care of it and you'd better let it go if it refuses to eat.

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ginko tutors in basic math just ask paris hilton

obsoleta lindheimeri(texas ratsnake)
varanus nilocticus(nile monitor)
Sternotherus odoratus(musk turtle)
pagona minor(2)(bearded dragons breeding pair)

I would never keep a wild caught near my cb reptiles...thats just me...I agree with maybe watching them for a day or so then letting them go,,,but never bring them in the house.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

I myself would hate to take away their freedom. As the saying goes even a gilded cage is still a cage. I haven't bought any pets. I have taken in strays or homeles--animals that can not be released back into the wild. And I don't value them on how much they are worth on the marketplace. They can not just be replaced like a broken toy. I would love to travel to Central America and see the green iguana in their natural home. Or to the Caymans to see the Blue Iguanas. But I do not want to buy one or capture one. I don't feel that any one person here has been completely right or completely wrong though. Everyone's views have there merits. That is just my personal values that I have to live by.

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Jan. 25, 1963 - Sept. 10, 2006 (R.I.P)

I am really enjoying reading everyone's thoughts on this question. And I am so impressed at the quality of the discussion -- in terms of content and conduct. It's kind of what I expected here, but still, it's wonderful. I was concerned that the question might cause trouble, but I figured if it could be discussed in a civil and mature manner anywhere on the web, it would be here. Thanks!

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Amy

I am not totallay against keeping WC herps as long as you provide them with the proper care. They also cant be endangered or anything like that.

In my short stay here I would say this is one of the most civilized forums on the net. Everyone is able to engage in intelligent and thoughtful conversation even when we have conflicting opinions. Herp center should pride itself in this, just look at some other herp forums and look at this one, pure heaven here. Thats why herpcenter is so great!

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ginko tutors in basic math just ask paris hilton

obsoleta lindheimeri(texas ratsnake)
varanus nilocticus(nile monitor)
Sternotherus odoratus(musk turtle)
pagona minor(2)(bearded dragons breeding pair)

well I'm not against it. but I wouldn't do it mostly because wild animals are use to unlimited area. but I don't think that it is a bad thing if they adjust to captivity and aren't stressed. how would we have CB if no one had taken animals from the wild?

i would never under any circumstances catch a herp and sell it....thats poaching in my book and u should be shot. I will keep a wc reptile that I have personally gone out on a mission for and cannot get captive bred...for example I have been wanting spotted house snakes(lamprophis guttatus) for over two years. They are not protected or endangered or anything but no one ever finds them...they live in deep rock cracks and are not so common. There are one or two people that have found them and keep them but I seriously mean one or two people. Not one of them have succesfully bred them...i would like to changes this! They are only uncommon finds because you never see them...they are there probably in good numbers. Most are killed by ignorant people in their gardens or by cats or on the road. But I still have yet to find one...lol

If I could purchase a captive bred pair I would in an instant. This is how the world of keeping herps grows... all of your pets had to start somewhere down the line from a wc. But for instance the thousands of ball pythons still being caught and sold...it angers me! Once a species has started to be captive bred any imports should stop! the same is seen with chameleons...i would bet 90% of all the chameleons advertised on the net are wc. this really sickens me. Catching of wild herps for the purpose I have explained should never be attempted by inexperienced, the risks are to high.....i will stop typing now because I am angry...

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Don't be jealous the voices only speak to me...

www.herprecon.org

If you are capable and willing to follow ALL procedures for quarantine and are only really working with the species to establish a CB bred population then by all means it should be accepted. Collecting of the species needs to be conducted by a professional as well. Almost all populations, as long as habitat destruction or any other factors aren't devestating them, are capable of sustaining a population as long as too many aren't removed, removing one large snake could mean enough prey for three smaller ones to reach adult hood. The population densities are already messed up to the point that the predator-prey model is not as accurate due to non-natural factors.

I don't recommend it to just anybody but with responsible practices and proper protocol it is a more than sustainable practice, I just don't feel the guidelines are outlined enough for it to become common place.

Doesn't a fishing licencse (in the states) cover the collection of some reptiles in certain states? I know in Hawaii you are allowed to collect and bring back poison dart frogs (invasives) as long as you have a fishing license.