When a friend called to tell me his granddaughter had acquired a pet garter snake and asked how she could feed it, I wondered how long this young girl would remain interested in such a pet. I also wondered how I felt about removing an animal from the wild, even though two of our snakes were wild caught.
Meeting Needs
“Most people simply cannot meet the needs of wild animals kept as pets,” says the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “Wild animals need to be with members of their own species, not humans.”
According to the Humane Society of the United States, “Despite what animal sellers may say, appropriate care for wild animals requires considerable expertise, specialized facilities, and lifelong dedication to the animals.”
Other factors, such as risks to the animal, as well as risks to humans, must be considered. “Physical injury is just one of the risks of keeping a wild animal,” says PAWS on their website, indicating that many wild animals carry parasites and diseases that can be transferred to humans. “Keeping a wild animal as a pet is a dangerous proposition.”
Right Reasons
But is collecting in the wild never to be tolerated? “Wild collecting has to be done for the right reasons and be done responsibly,” says Tom Weaver, Assistant Curator of Reptiles/Fishes at the Denver Zoo. “I would say I am not against collecting wild animals; it’s just not something I do anymore.”
One of the “right” reasons for collecting in the wild involves education. Our western hognose snake, Roggen, was collected in the wild, and we used him extensively as an ambassador for his species. Well cared for, Roggen lived long beyond his expected life span in the wild. Our garter snake, Karma, was also collected in the wild and has been an excellent education animal, still alive well beyond her life expectancy in the wild.
“I am not against your friend’s granddaughter wanting to take home a garter snake as a pet,” says Tom, “although wild animals do not always thrive in captivity.” For someone wanting their child to experience caring for a pet snake, according to Tom, there are better captive-born options.
Explore Nature
On the other hand, allowing a child to explore and handle specimens in nature can encourage their curiosity and help them understand the importance of protecting natural resources and the critters that depend on them. Without this influence, who will care for our wildlife refuges and parks in the future?
When our children were young, we often took them to our nearby Colorado state park to wander the trails and immerse ourselves in nature. Once a year we would even bring home a garter snake, create a habitat for it in an aquarium, and keep it for a week so they could learn about snakes and not acquire a fear of them. When the week was up, we released the snake exactly where we had collected it.
Healthy Populations
“A healthy population of reptiles,” says Tom, “can have a certain percentage of it be harvested without a negative impact on the size of the population in the future.”
However, younger herpetologists today, according to Tom, take pictures rather than collecting in the wild. “This is a new trend from when I was younger,” he says. “I think the younger generation is seeing the results of populations of mountain kingsnakes, Indigo snakes, or San Francisco garter snakes, to name a few, dwindle or be completely wiped out from over collection.”
Engrossed in Nature
Encouraging young children to adopt and care for a harmless wild snake from a healthy population may help ensure the survival of other misunderstood species that struggle for existence as the child learns to understand and value the animal’s role in nature. What better way to foster education and understanding than by inspiring a child’s curiosity through hands-on experience that allows them to become engrossed in nature?
Perhaps, however, after a period of time, unless the animal will be used for education, releasing it back into its original environment would benefit the animal and its habitat.
Awesome article, a subject we all need to ponder!
A few months ago we did a herping trip to a local wildlife area for some wildlife for an annual nature festival where we were invited to set up a booth, among things we had 3 about 2 week old baby Bull snakes!
About 800 attended, children and adults. The baby snakes were a huge hit and we educated many on what they were, what they do for us, and the often tragic deaths of those that are mistaken for Rattle Snakes!
Afterwards, I personally took the snakes back the the exact spot we found them and I took a short video of them heading onto a burrow where another had eluded our capture!
It’s was awesome to have shared them, and see them recognize where they were when I took them back!
It’s also important stressing releasing them where they came from so they will know where to hide as well as find food and water!
Russ, thanks for your comments! One of the best ways to get young (and older) folks to respect, and enjoy snakes and other animals from a safe distance is to see a live specimen under controlled conditions. Over the years, we have, as you most likely have, been able to turn fears and loathing into an “Aha! moment. Our snakes have been in local newspapers, TV and countless schools, retirement homes and libraries. It’s satisfying to us and fascinating for the viewers. I know you share our feelings there!
Thanks again for your input!
Beautiful, just absolutely beautiful! It really makes my happy to see youngsters getting involved with nature and interacting outside of their electronic devices(listen to me, im still a kid and I feel like im an adult because of how happy this makes me). As I agree with this article that taking from the wild inst the best of ideas when finds a “pet”, I cant argue. Wild herping is how i got my start, my first snake was store bought but my fascination kept pulling and pulling so I went out an caught wild herps. Now i didn’t keep them, which is a point I think many people over look. The rule in my house hold is nothing venomous/poisonous and I can only house the animal for 1-2 weeks then I have to go back and let them go where I found them. I know this young girl was very excited to have been able to find a snake and being her age was instantly hooked on the idea of calling it her companion. Now this is something that can easily be looked past considering the species of the snake and how abundant it is, but its not something easily looked past since it is still a wild animal and even the smallest imbalance in the wild ecosystem could mean disaster…what am I saying, every person who loves reptiles got their start this way, I just cant say it enough, it fills me with joy to see another youngster getting started with their very first reptile!
William,
Thanks for your comments! You show a great deal of maturity and wisdom on a controversial subject. Nobody in their right mind likes to displace another living thing. But, sometimes there is a good argument for doing so. Zoos come to mind immediately. While we prefer to see animals roaming in their own element, zoos are making huge advances in replicating natural surroundings. And, many animals on exhibit in zoos are captive bred. Taking an animal out of the wild sometimes is the only way to educate people on their unique adaptations and lifestyles. So, in that instance, that animal becomes a representative of its species. One of the most important considerations of releasing back into the wild a particular animal, as you mentioned, is to release close as possible to the capture point. A snake released more than a mile from the capture point has at best, a 50% chance of survival. Not great odds. Thanks again for your comments! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness!