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WC big no no or?

carnivorouszoo

carnivorouszoo

Crazy Critter Lady
I joined a Herping group on yahoo and I guess I don't know what it means to "go herping". Lets just say I got a lot of response that I would be a VERY bad person to take any herp from the wild and keep it for my own.

What do you guys think?

This was in response to my wanting to get a local box turtle as all I find in pet shops are sliders and they HAVE to have water in the tank they live in like a pond, I was asking for info on keeping a box turtle so I could setup the enclosure before I went looking.

Is this terrible and I should forget it? If it is acceptable can someone help me with figuring out how to setup a tank for one and what all to offer for food? Its totally legal for me to catch and keep a Box turtle. I checked.
 
Is it possible for you to look for a rehab turtle? Or buy a CB baby? The problem with boxies is they reproduce slowly- it takes a very long time for one to reach maturity, and the hatchlings have a very high mortality rate. So unlike cornsnakes or garters, every adult boxie removed from the wild makes a difference. Of course, sometimes you just come across a turtle in trouble- lost in the city, out after it should be brumating because it is sick, lost habitat from a new development. IMO, these turtles are all right to take as pets, because they just do not relocate very well- they just want to go home. If I were you, and I really wanted a boxie, I'd look on line for someone selling captive bred babies. Or check with local wildlife rescues and see what they have for adoption. Or consider some sort of small CB tortoise like a Russian or a Greek tortoise.
 
Plus, it would be very bad to keep a box turtle indoors, so can you prepare an outdoor enclosure? Although not optimal, I think the small tortoises are better suited for life in a turtle table. With some outdoor time, if possible.
 
See now you put it very nicely! Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me instead of basically saying how horrible I would be a a person if I even thought of it. I did not know that Boxies had a hard time of it in the wild. I really do want a tourtise or turtle but the only things available locally (I don't want to ship) are redear sliders and yellow belly sliders and I am just not interested in these. Local wildlife places only rehab to go to the wild if it can not go ack to the wild they put them down. They will not let "cevilians" have animals that werein their care as pets. So my option are to catch a local turtle or tourtise or have one shipped. Sigh, I will keep an eye out online but I only see people selling them never rehoming. To me rehoming is not about getting back what you paid for it when it was tiny baby. Yet anyone trying to "rehome" animals these days seem to be all about the money. I don't see how you can ask for $1000 and at the same time say you are desperate for a home for it. ya know?

I know
 
I agree with Nanci, I personally wouldn't like to take any wild animal as a pet, especially with so many captive breeders with available animals. And as she stated, Box turtles are very important to leave alone. It takes decades for them to be productive breeders, and to take one from the wild would greatly impact the existing population. I don't think finding a c.b would be very difficult, and it would make a much better pet.
 
Collecting depends on a variety of factors...

Is the native population healthy and thriving, with strong enough numbers that collection will not threaten the species?

Is the animal easily adapted to captivity, and able to survive under captive conditions without threat to health or safety?

Are you able to provide an optimal level of care for the animal?

Are you knowledgeable enough to provide excellent care for the animal, and able to provide vetrinary treatment in the case of an emergency?

Is it legal for you to collect a specimen from the wild?

If you can positively answer yes to all of the above questions, I see no problem with collecting a wild animal for captivity. HOWEVER...

If the animal does NOT adapt, does not eat, and does not THRIVE in captivity, it is your responsibility to ensure the animal is cared for in accordance with the law. Some states will not allow for a re-release of a wild animal once it is brought into captivity. You need to research this. In these states, an animal that is brought home as a captive, and which doesn't thrive, is condemned to suffer throughout it's painful captive existence or must be euthanized. Are you ready to accept that?

As long as the collection is legal, does not interfere with native populations, does not ensure death for the animal, and does not threaten or endanger native populations...I have no issue with collecting.

I currently have a wc Cal King, Sierra Garter, Rubber Boa, Rosy Boa and 1.1 Desert Banded Geckos. All are legally maintained and were legally collected from areas known to have thriving wild populations, and all are doing incredibl;y well as captive animals.

Honestly...you need to research the regulations and laws about the specific animals you intend to collect, as well as researching the health and viability of the local populations. Than you need to make the moral decision for yourself.

As for what herping "is"...it is finding and documenting wild reptile and amphibian species. It is NOT about collecting, it is NOT a hobby that supports commercial collection, and it is NOT a hobby that seeks to remove wild animals from wild populations. I found over 100 snakes last year, and I collected precisely 3 of them. I am the founder of the Eastern Sierra Herp Club, and one of our founding rules is that we do NOT collect during club-sponsored field trips. Herping is about finding and appreciating these wonderful animals. Collecting is a moral decision you need to make for yourself, once yuo have researched thoroughly the regulations and laws.

Another aspect to consider is this...In CA, where I live, the only way for me to legally own many species of snake is to colect them. Here, you cannot import, export, buy, sell, trade, or breed native reptile species without a permit. However, with the purchase of a fishing license, you can catch and keep a specified number of certain species. I have a Sierra Garter. The ONLY legal way for me to have that snake is to have caught it myself. So I did...

Good Luck!
 
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Very well said Chris..
As for the box turtle.. I bet you can find one in a rescue or rehabilitation center. Or from a breeder. Out here you can adopt desert tortoises from the tortoise group. They will come out and inspect your yard and make sure you have everything prepared and ready for your new friend. So look into that.. I agree with collecting to an extent and only rarely, Chris put it very well, I would listen to him. Herping is basically just going out and observing these beautiful creatures in their habitat, it is NOT about taking..
OK, now you have some research to do :) Let us know how it goes..
 
Agree with Nanci also.

Personally I would not take an animal from the wild for four reasons. One it depletes wild populations, two they could be carrying something that could infect my other animals, three they can be difficult to feed and four with captive breeding now a day I don't see a need to take a animal from the wild when you can get what you want at a store, reptile show or online.

I know some people do collect wild caught animals and that's okay if that animal is not threatened or endangered and is allowed to be collected, but I think it should be a last resort.

If you want one I suggest checking out a reptile show or check online for a breeder or if you feel like driving a bit(I drive to odd states for reptiles, lol) Colorado, New Mexico and Wisconsin have a few for adoption on Petfinder.

Good luck.
 
What turtles are you seeing being "rehomed" for $1,000? Even if that was an exaggeration, what turtles are you seeing with really high price tags? Other than pancakes, Mata Matas, and other rarities ans oddballs, not much should fetch prices in that range.
 
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