Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 2- 3 years ago on the Arizona PARC Conservation forum (now defunct) or similar venue, biologists mentioned that two species of garter snakes were experiencing declines in Arizona due to unknown causes. Mentioned as 'suspects' were an introduced species of crayfish and the bull frog.

I urged that if that were the case, that instead of a hands off policy advocated by these same biologists, that they in fact have specimens of each garter snake collected and commence captive propagation by knowledgably individuals with special interests and experience with species of Thamnophis. As I recall, my suggestion was not well received.

Within the past couple of months, the same subject surfaced elsewhere. I then sent a private e-mail to population biologist Dr. Andy Holycross of Arizona St. University repeating my proposal for captive breeding, rearing snakes for from 2 - 3 years then releasing them. As it turned out, he informed me he had already proposed such a plan to the Arizona wildlife agency.

Below I have copied an appeal that appeared on www.fieldherpforum in which it appears the agency is now seeking input from those that have had success with maintaining and / or captive breeding both species of garter snakes. I believe the appeal to be sincere and I consider the venture as promising. However, having a bad taste in my mouth with wildlife law enforcement in Utah, I would urge caution.

Richard F. Hoyer

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Crotaline
Joined: 16 Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:17 am Post subject: Gartersnake Husbandry
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Attention Gartersnake Husbandry Experts:

A number of private, local, State, and Federal collaborators have convened in Arizona to explore opportunities for captive propagation/release as a conservation tool in stemming the decline in abundance and distribution that has been documented in two of Arizona's native gartersnakes, the Northern Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) and the Narrow-headed Gartersnake (T. rufipunctatus rufipunctatus).

Research on captivity records from zoological institutions across the United States has indicated these species have rarely been kept in captivity and little has been published about captivity protocols in general or captive propagation protocols in particular. Consequently, the collaborators have requested that I contact those who maintain, or have maintained, private collections of these two species, or their close taxonomic relatives, to solicit any information on captivity and/or propagation techniques. Specifically, we are seeking information such as:

What was the longest period of time you kept a single specimen alive and feeding in your collection?

What substrate did you try; what worked and what didn't?

What was used for heat sources and how were they applied to form the thermogradient (i.e. overhead/under-tank/both)?

What type of terraria were used; what size and with what type of closing mechanism?

What diet did you use; how were the various prey items offered and at what frequency?

If you have information about other aspects of captive husbandry or propagation of these species that does not fit into any of the above categories, feel free to share that too! Again, we are looking for insight from the diverse sector of private individuals who maintain private collections who may have kept one or both of these species in the past. Any insight as to what worked, what didn't, and your thoughts as to why, would be a tremendous asset to our effort. If you would rather contact me via email, please reach me at jeff_servoss@fws.gov.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Jeff Servoss
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Phoenix, Arizona

Ohio has surely been the home of some misguided efforts to save or augment a population of T radix (ohio subspecies) that occurred in a prairie preserve on our western border. This subspecies was fairly common in the preserve, but found nowhere else.

ODNR instituted a state-wide ban on owning T radix (of any subspecies) that continues today. They then began a captive breeding project of T radix from western states... therefore not the T radix (ohio subspecies).

These snakes were pit tagged at very small sizes, and were released into the park. In addition, any T radix (ohio subspecies) that was captured was pit tagged and re-released. Local herpetologists believe this killed many specimens.

The result, some years later, is that the entire population of T radix (ohio subspecies) is now difficult to impossible to find where they were once plentiful. In addition, their range has NOT expanded into outlying areas.

I believe it would be a mistake to lobby a state DNR to institute a breed and release program, as they are sure to manage the program in such a way as to decimate what they seek to save.

Just MHO.
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Antioch Turkish Angoras
PuRRS Rescue

I agree with you 100% on that! I live in Ohio and have heard the same stories regarding that "reintroduction" project.

Tim

Third Eye

Antioch,
Thanks for your information. I contacted Scott Felzer and although his version was less detailed, he alluded to the fact that the radix effort by the Ohio wildlife agency was not a particularly shining example.

My understanding of state wildlife agency's involvement with herps related issues does not lend confidence to such efforts. But I am hopeful that the AZ agency efforts will be different. They have involved other stakeholders in the form of the AZ Sonoran Desert Museum, the a local community college, the Phoenix Herp. Society membership, and perhaps others.

Only time will tell if the project is successful or turns out to be another bureaucratic nightmare.

Thanks again for your input.

Richard F. Hoyer