Anybody around here have a collection of natives?

Question

I notice all kinds of refrences to ball pythons and iguanas and chameleons, some corn snake stuff, but i'm assuming (knowing what happens when one assumes) that most of these corns are color morphs and not true red rat snakes.
Anyone have any collections centered on the reptiles native to their area? Between me and my father our collection has 4 red rats (one okatee, and one lined, the other two are natural variants), an everglades rat, a grey rat, a fat and happy black racer, a florida pine snake, the list goes on. (doing educational reptile programs is grand). Really I'm just curious as to how many others have simpler taste when it comes to their snakes.....

We've got permits for everything we have, and all new members go into quarantine whether they're captive bred or not. I know here in Fl, you're not allowed to collect wild specimens for pet trade, but I believe there's a loophole for private collections. Plus, most of our stuff is more acquired from "Eek, there's a snake in my house!" than anything else anymore. My eastern hognose is captive bred, as are all our reds (just not crossbred for color) our grey was a rehab, he still has a big scar on his back from someone trying to hack him. Diamondback terrapins that the state gave us special permission to have because the people who gave them to us didn't know they weren't supposed to have them.... etc., etc.

Answer 1

Actually, it is not illegal to have wild capture reptiles in you possession unless they are endangered, like the indigo snake. Here in Pa., you have to have a fishing license to collect reptiles, but I've never had any trouble with the Fish & Game guys while out hunting herps. Many times, these guys will point you in the right direction to collect certain specimens.
In my collection, I have several eastern milksnakes, eastern garters, northern water snakes, queen snakes, northern copperhead (male), timber rattler (female), ringneck snakes, black rat snakes, black racers, all caught here in Pa. In fact, in the old days when I started collecting, there was no other way to get specimens. There were no reptile shows & most pet shops didn't carry reptiles.

Answer 2

Actually in most states it is illigal to capture native wildlife unless you have a lincese to do so this might be why you are reciveing not many responses.

I know people that do it but personally I don't want any Wild caught species around my healthy animals becayse chances of infection by parasites or viruses are incredibilly high.

Check wil your local state laws and I would be very careful how you advertise that, it could lead to alot of trouble, some fines, and even some jail time considering I beleive the florida pine snake is endagered and now protected under the federal endangered species act (Could be wrong though, that is a BLACK pine snake)