Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Max Peterson has always been the wind in my sails when it comes to herpitaculture. Max has been in the hobby longer than I. He threw out a random question on the phone the other evening and I kept it in the back of my mind. The question was of a simple nature but Max has instinct. The question was do you think captive hatched or wild caught will fair better in the indoor-outdoor set up? The answer might surprise you as it did me. SO FAR and I state SO FAR the captive hatched animals will equalize and keep a lower variance in temperature. My captive hatched Unicolor and Captive hatched Coachwhip will come in when too hot or too cold and so far the wild caught want to go out side no matter what the temp. I would imagine there will be an equilibrium once they adjust but there is SO FAR a notable difference in behavior. I will keep uou all posted.....Bill
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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

The w/c animals are expressing their need for freedom. They don't like the feeling of being in captivity so they are staying outside all the time.

The cb animals are accustomed to captivity, and since they know nothing else, could care less. They choose their location based on proper thermoregulation.

Robert.

You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly my opinion. A hatchling only knows what it is exposed to. It spends the bulk of it's life in a cage verses a snake that only knows wide open spaces. I had two Pseustes push past a rubber plug to go outside today. My wild Unicolor does come back in reluctently.
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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

Interesting theories. I personally feel it is far more complex than that but it would be worth looking into. Although I haven't tried it with indigos (and will probably look into it) I have done something similar with other herp species and they seem to relish the opportunity of thermoregulating outdoors over being indoors. But then again, I also know of a place in our region where the "wild" fox snakes come back every winter to den in the basement of a very old house (still occupied by humans!). Interesting stuff.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly my opinion. A hatchling only knows what it is exposed to. It spends the bulk of it's life in a cage verses a snake that only knows wide open spaces. I had two Pseustes push past a rubber plug to go outside today. My wild Unicolor does come back in reluctently.
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>>"Life without risk is to merely exist."
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Now the wildcaught Unicolor is moving in and out at the same rate as the captive hatched. Yes Rob there are other factors. How about Pseustes and Spilotes that may spend thier life hanging out in tree branches? My Pseustes have just started to use the tube to retreat fron extreme weather but the tube is the only shelter offered at this time.

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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

I like the way the final product (until now) look like. You gave me good idea for my monitors.
Thank's to shere this with us.
Take care!
justin