There are two main concerns with releasing him back into the wild:

1. If that snake has picked up any parasites or diseases while in captivity, perhaps from the food its been eating or another reptile, it could potentially indroduce pathogens back into the wild population. This has been documented in desert tortoises. This is probably not too big a deal if that snake has been kept in isolation from other snakes. I could be wrong, but I think it is illegal to release a captive snake into the wild in CA. (Someone check that).
2. If the snake isn't released back where it was found, it is likely to search endlessly for its home territory and be killed by humans, raptors, etc... Studies have shown that relocated snakes have high mortality rates. Since the snake was collected in a backyard, you would probably have to release it somewhere else, which would be no good.

I think you would be better off cleaning the cage, changing the water dish and educating your co-workers on proper husbandry rather than re-releasing the snake. I would only re-release it if there is good habitat near that lady's yard and it hasn't been in contact with other reptiles.



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- Andy
ToothAndScale.com - herp and underwater photography

1.0 Sandfire x Yellow Bearded Dragon
0.1 Albino Black Ratsnake
0.1 California Mountain Kingsnake

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