BobS, others:
The only restrictions on the take of non-protected species of herps in Oregon is that native species, including the Rubber Boa, cannot be sold or bartered. So for years, I have had a standing offer to anyone willing to travel to the Corvallis, Oregon area, I would take them out so they could collect their own boa. And over the years, I have had a few individuals do that very thing.

As for price, many years ago I looked into the commercial sale of the species and the asking prices in the Kingsnake web site's ad section. At that time, prices ranged from about $100 to $150 as I recall. So it would seem that not much has changed price wise. And yes, a number of individuals posted photos of the Rubber Boas they had purchase as having been captive bred but with grossly scarred tail tips indicating they had been wild caught.

The reason the species has been considered to be rare is due to a number of factors not the least of which is the species is mostly fossorial and secretive. Then on top of that aspect, most professional and amateur herpetologist make searches for snake during warm, sunny weather from mid spring through the summer months. That is fine for finding some species of snakes but not very conducive for finding the boa.

I begin my field season for finding the species in February here in northwestern Oregon and continue until it gets overly warm and hot which usually occurs by late spring.

As for abundance, consider the following: For over 40 years, I have traveled a certain road west of Corvallis and have spied a couple of abandoned sheds in a field on the east side of the highway. I have always felt that the site was a prime place for finding the species as the field had remained undisturbed all of this time. On April 19th, when driving by those two sheds, I though I could see a roofing on the ground by the north shed.

I have been able to contact the owner of the property and got permission to see what I could find. On the first visit, in 5 - 10 minutes of turning about 10 roofing tins, I came away with 9 Rubber Boas. After recording data on those specimens at home, when I returned to release those boas, I found two more.

Richard F. Hoyer

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