Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone has any direct experience with how their state views the capture and subsequent release of native herpetofauna. I know that most states have regulations stating you can't release any wildlife once it's been in captivity unless you're a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Of course, that means that even detaining a reptile overnight for photography purposes and then releasing it where you found it is illegal.

Here in Texas, I raised the question, as our local herp club performs a reptile rescue service, which primarily translates into capturing and relocating nuisance snakes. The local member of the nongame wildlife board says that Texas Parks and Wildlife "looks the other way" (which I take to mean, does not actively enforce the reg when it comes to non-"cute and fuzzies" ). In addition, he's with local law enforcement, which supports our club's efforts.

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I can't remember the exact stipulation, but Ohio allows you to keep a wild herp in captivity for some number of days and then release it back where you got it as long as it doesn't come in contact with any other reptiles.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

In MD you're allowed to capture and hold a native reptile for one month before release, providing it's not kept in contact with other reptiles.

The regs may soon change to 72 hours, allowing people to bring soemthing home for observation over a weekend, but then returning it when the weekend is over.

Katrina

I know in Massachusetts that you are allowed to capture and keep up to 2 (or is it 3) specimens of any non-listed herp. They may not be sold. I never read anything about releasing them. I would highly discourage releasing any animals in an location other than the one they were found. I also would not release animals that have been exposed to exotic herps or birds.
This is how disease can be introduced.

Brian

>>I know in Massachusetts that you are allowed to capture and keep up to 2 (or is it 3) specimens of any non-listed herp. They may not be sold.

What do you do with offspring, if breeding them?

I never read anything about releasing them. I would highly discourage releasing any animals in an location other than the one they were found.

I somewhat agree with this viewpoint. The problem we have is that the snakes we are called to capture are found in the middle of housing additions, where if they aren't relocated, they wind up dead. I know of several studies which show that rattlesnakes don't "do well" when relocated, so I've promised to personally eat the next big rattler I get out of someone's yard. The little ones will still be released, because it is my opinion that even if the snake itself doesn't fare well, it may wind up being dinner for something else, which is of more benefit to the local ecosystem than throwing its decapitated carcass into the dumpster.

I also would not release animals that have been exposed to exotic herps or birds.
>>This is how disease can be introduced.

I agree, with the replacement of "exotic" with "any other." The animals I capture on calls don't come into contact with my personal herps, even if they're local.

My REAL beef is with folks that catch herps in the spring, keep them all summer, then release them in the fall. I think the Boy Scouts still advocate keeping herps for 30 days to observe their habits etc. for their Herpetology merit badge, for example.

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Yes, the Boy Scouts still do this.

I think we can help the Boy Scouts and help the wildlife if the Boy Scouts would contact their local herp societies and rescues and ask to foster animals for that month (or longer if they like). Then they can be on their way to the merit badge AND community service.

Katrina

>>Yes, the Boy Scouts still do this.
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>>I think we can help the Boy Scouts and help the wildlife if the Boy Scouts would contact their local herp societies and rescues and ask to foster animals for that month (or longer if they like). Then they can be on their way to the merit badge AND community service.

That's a great idea--I wonder why nobody's thought of that before? I was in Boy Scouts and was happy to earn that merit badge (about 18 years ago?), but I've kept primarily native herps all my life anyway--the badge was merely a formality for me.

I'm going to cross-post this response to rec.pets.herp and the herp society forum here on KS as I'm sure many people would be interested in this idea.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

The regulations obviously vary from area to area. In Alberta, Canada it is illegal to capture any native wildlife. Enforcement of this is nearly impossible and for harmless herps it is often overlooked.
The problems with catch and release are mainly disease transfer, missed mating seasons, and improper relocation. To prevent disease transfers do not release any animal that has been in direct or indirect contact with another herp (even in the same room or house on many cases as tropical disease outbreaks in the wild can prove disastorous). Also important is to not release long term captives, as the immune system and environment changes over a period of time. Lastly, the animal should be released to the exact location so as not to mix local disease from population to population.
To prevent animals from missing their vital mating season avoid capturing gravid females, animals at hibernaculums and do not keep individuals for long periods of time. This is especially important with rare and/or endangered animals or sub-species.
A very important part of releasing herps is making sure it is in the exact spot they were found. In many areas where animals hibernate, their hibernaculums, or any other space deep enough to avoid freezing can be hard to find. In many cases simply releasing the snake on the other side of a hill or valley can lead to it's demise.

Native animals are just as interesting as exotic herps and can make great pets. If it suites your purposes it is always better to find a captive bred source (even if it is out of state) if the animal is to be kept. (Obviously not a candidate for release)