Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I wondered if anyone has ever done this before, had good or bad experience with it, or any feelings on the matter. It seems like this is gaining popularity in the dog/cat world for identification. I recall it being discussed here but wondered if anyone has looked into it more seriously.

Rich

-----
bigdnutz
1.2 Suriname Boa
1.0 Venezuelan Boa

After getting a few of my current boas I thought about microchipping them in the future for security reasons and undeniable identification.

You do have to have it done by a vet, after the chip is inserted it must be recorded in a registry to keep data of the animal (species, color, owner, etc.).

I wouldn't do it with small boas, the needles are very big. I am also not sure if I will ever do it. The technology is gaining popularity with people who keep all types of pets, and I expect it will grow in herps as well. I know Bob Clark offers microchipping for the snakes he produces, and always does it for hybrid pythons (to keep people from scamming).

I have seen complete kits for sale in the KS ads. Could be done by anyone with some instruction on how/where. The kit included a scanner so you could do it without some sort of national registry. I have been contemplating doing it for my high end adults and babies. Still have not decided yet.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

but, those chips have no use to anyone else. Meaning, if your snake was stolen only you with your scanner could ID it. And if you sold a snake with a chip only you could verify it. The buyer could not sell it later with proof of its genetics to the next buyer.

It's still the same type chip and you could/should pass on the ID number to the buyer regardless of it being vet inserted or self inserted. Either way would still have the same value.

Unfortunately would still have the same possibilities for fraud, unscrupulous dealers could still:

1. Create fraudulant paperwork for a known id.

2. Duplicate valid paperwork from another snake, unless you have a reader or know someone who does, who's really to say what (if any) id chip the animal has.

BTW, there are several manufacturers and formats for the actual id number. I believe each ID chip comes with paperwork to be returned to the MFG for inclusion in their database. Don't know if that's part of the ID price or if it's an additional service. Also, for anyone who has a ID they want to verify, the local humane society/pound has readers that work with all the ID formats. Just watch out for the local laws, ie would be pretty stupid to take your burmese to the SF humane society for verification.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

two major producers of the chips. Also my vet said it would be about $20 per animal, a marginal cost that includes registry.

There are a few companies that sell the chips (they are usually targeted as mentioned toward dogs and cats) The chips average about 12-15 bucks each, and you can after injecting them send the information into the company that sells them to have it logged. You can also order a scanner to scan them yourself. The last time I looked into it there were 2 types of scanners available, 1 which would only read the chips from that particular vendor (around 100 bucks for that scanner) or another which would read 2 or more types of chips. (I believe this one was around 200)

If I ever get to the point I have high end animals in my collection I won't hesitate on having them chipped if nothing else to add one more layer of fraud/theft protection.
-----
Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

also, contrary to popular belief, these chips do not act as "homing beacons" or anything. if someone steals your snake or it escapes, animal control is not going to be able to come to your house and scan your neighborhood for your snake. the guns/chips are only useful in identifying an animal...not finding it.
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa

I am a vet student right now and I had the chance to have it done for free. I bought in my Male Suri. He's about 6 feet now and has been one of my all time favorite boas. There are lots of good reasons why I think it should be done like the ones mentioned in the previous posts. I did it mostly because I think that exposing my classmates to reptiles will open other doors to furthering reptile medicine. All went well and he hardly even felt the needle. I don't know if this will catch on but it is an inexpensive way to possitively identify any animal. If you are curious or need any other information email me and I can help.
rreeves@westernu.edu

-----
bigdnutz
1.2 Suriname Boa
1.0 Venezuelan Boa