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Just wondered what everyone thought is the appropriate length of time that a snake goes from being a WC to a LTC. IMO I think that the minimum they should be in captivity is a year. That way you have an idea about how they adjust to being in captivity, how they handle and bounce back after the fasting period and all the issues with possible parasites, etc.

But we see all the time people advertising LTC that have been in the country hardly more than a couple of weeks or months, I've had snakes in quarantine longer then some of them. I've always considered LTC to be established animals, but I'm finding that they really aren't. So I was wondering if there is a standard or thoughts on an appropriate timeframe.
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Tosha

"Of course, this is just my opinion...and I believe I am God." -- Christopher Bianco

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Just wondered what everyone thought is the appropriate length of time that a snake goes from being a WC to a LTC.

Good question. I don't concern myself with the label LTC too much. For one, I try to stay away from imports. However, if I do consider a LTC, I look for other details about the animal. For example, I want to know that the animal is a consistent feeder. For me, this is eating regularly for the last 3-6 months - closer to 6 months. What are they feeding on? I don't want a hamster or gerbil problem. I want an animal that has a clean bill of health. Was it treated when it arrived? Was a fecal performed?

But we see all the time people advertising LTC that have been in the country hardly more than a couple of weeks or months,

That's one of the issues with the import trade. Too many scams. Too many issues.

I've had snakes in quarantine longer then some of them. I've always considered LTC to be established animals, but I'm finding that they really aren't.

Established? Well, I have several captive bred and hatched animals that I've had for years that are not established. These are my problem children. Like I said, I want healthy and consistently feeding animals. If you can find a LTC with 6 months in country, feeding consistently and healthy, I'd say it might be a good deal. But most importers do not have the time or desire to do what's right for a good animal. Bottom line, you get what you pay for.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

maybe 3 years......I think LTC shold be ones that were imported as babies and are now adults....they eat well and grew well and possibly even were proven to be good breeders(not necessary for LTC)........

..........imported balls take a long time to be good critters...........I still have the 8 here and one eats gerbils now and one ate one small gerbil once...that's it.......they been here for 5 months now?......
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The dumbest RRaXX design I ever bought.........

Clearly, there are good reasons to stay away from African imported adults and sub-adults. Remember that these snakes can live for 40 years plus. Imagine an adult wild caught that is 20 years old dragged out of its homeland, put into a cage that is only 2-3 feet long, given a prey item totally unfamiliar to it, and asked to "adjust". No way. That's why WCs die in captivity.

Just my opinion, but I feel that only unique new forms should be taken out of Africa as sub-adults and adults. There are lots of CB and CH to choose from. A ball raised up as a baby will often outperform a WC in breeding down the line anyway, because they are more likely to be consistent feeders.

Just my opinion, but I don't like to see snakes die.

but I feel that only unique new forms should be taken out of Africa

Now why would that make a difference? $$$? Cause they are all Still the same just look different.

I have 3 w/c adult females I've had them for 2 years and they are all gravid now. I see no problem with (all) imports. JMO

I haven't imported any balls from Africa, so I have no $$$ motivation to suggest that only unique new morphs be brought in. Merely that a few older animals would come in rather than a lot, with the result that fewer would die from their difficulty in adapting to their new home.

I'm glad that your WC snakes are doing well. I would rather support the captive bred industry. Just offering my opinions.

LOL!! There would be no captive bred population with out w/c animals. Good luck with your breedings...

>>LOL!! There would be no captive bred population with out w/c animals. Good luck with your breedings...

I think they are saying now that there are plenty of captive bred animals outside of Africa, there's not much reason to continue to support importation.

I have a comment for your previous post. For every success story, I suspect there are multiple failures. I know from first hand experience and I see it every day.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles