I always hate to hear stories about people releasing captives in the wild especially non-natives. It is against the law for obvious reason.

I think that for the most part (luckily) isolated releases of non-natives probably don't survive. However the issues with the pythons in the everglades illustrates that seriousness of those careless actions! You should consider a pet trade non-locality specific snake to be "non-native" to any where! A northern pine snake is not just a northern pine snake across that ssp.'s known range.

Not sure who J Cherry is mixing me up with but I have never seen a northern in AZ.

I would also like to clarify one thing that John said. It is my understanding that some of the Hopi folks did historically use a snake in part of their ritualized ceremonies, however they used a very specific sp. of snake.

What did happen I am told is that a group of folks (city council? ) in the town of Prescott AZ would hold "Hopi Days" during an annual town celebration. A few folks would dress in native american garb and "re-inact" the Hopi ceremonies! There are even old post cards to prove it! I am told by multiple sources that these guys would buy snakes from people and solicit the capture of snakes to use. Members of the Genus Pituophis were selected because they tend to be big and impressive animals ( as we all know!). I am told that the animals would be released locally at the end of the Town's annual week of hijinx!

This is no longer practiced and affected only the local area around Prescott AZ...



I think that in reality generally speaking there has not been a notable muddying of genetic waters across the range of Pituophis in the US. I am not sure that this can be said for corn snakes at least at the local level. I hear alot of stories of irresponsible corn snake breeders releasing surplus animals into the wilds of their back yards and adjacent wood lots. Obviously this practice is a major no-no even if done in known corn snake range!

There are the genetic reasons addressed here as well as potentially serious health concerns for existing wild populations..... how would you like to be the guy responsible for introducing a pathogen into a the wild population!


avoid the urge... do not release captives into the wild!

I know of a well known Tucson breeder that would readily admit to casually releasing captives! We are our own worst enemies!

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