Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone worked with wild-captured adults? How hard are they to de-parasite and get started feeding? How long do you quarantine? What other issues should I be aware of? Should I avoid them all together?
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

Wild caught adults are notorious for not feeding after being imported. Getting rid of the internal and external parasites is pretty straight forward, however the ticks seem to be a little more resistant to standard treatment so you have to pick them off. Some wild caught adults can also be on the aggressive side. I purchased 11 wild caught females about 4 months ago under the assumption they were feeding on small live rats but only three of them started eating right away. Five more started eating live mice after about 3 months and three have yet to eat. If you are getting them to jump start a breeding project you are probably better off getting captive hatched or farm hatched babies and spending the time to raise them up, or pay the extra money for established adults. Just my opinion.

George Knaack
GLK HERP

I have 3 in the spring (one of which was supposed to be CB).

Two of them took a little over 3 months to eat and the third one didnt eat for 2 months after that.(Yes they lost weight)
The first two are just now starting to gain weight over what they were when i first got them.The third one is not yet back to her original weight.

Then there was the cost of the vet bill.
I was fortunate,they didnt have any internal parasites when i got them.They were however infested with ticks.
I suspect that if i had to treat them for internal parasites that they would still be fasting or at least still be grossly underweight.I hear the treatment tastes foul to them,plus there would have been the constant interuptions to medicate.
It is almost as if they have to forget they are in a cage in order to eat.

As far as breeding them...
Well if i went through this much trouble just getting them to eat in captivity,i can imagine what it is going to be like trying to get them to breed.

I have since then purchased a few CB 03 girls.
Which i am now betting will produce before the 3 wc will,(the 3 wc are between 700 and 900 gams each).

Good luck
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3.9 Ball Pythons
1.1 Thayeri Kings
0.0.1 Viper Boa
1.1 Felines

I also agree w/ george.

I had suspected some of those difficulties, but wanted to hear from some with firsthand experience. Thanks for all the good, and detailed info. I really do appreciate it. Every once in a while this board actually works.
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

People buy WC females thinking they are getting a jump into the breeding of Balls. When actually they are wasting alot of their time. If they are purchased early in the season, some come in already cycled or even gravid, and will possbily lay eggs. The next season, most if not all will even cycle. It will take up to five years for a Wild Caught Adult Ball to cyle and produce fociles.
Take the same time, and a hatchling will grow, mature and be a breeder with in three years, and your have two, if not three years head start on a WC animal.
Now, with this said, some females will breed, but it's like one in a thousand. You have to ask yourself, do I feel lucky?
WC animals can be cleaned up, get to feed, and make an excellent pet. Will that same animal be a great breeder in your colony? Proably not.
Spend some time doing some research, trust who you purchase from, and have fun. This is a great hobby!