I caught a wild gopher snake and i was wondering if its worth keeping?

Question

Its probably about 1 1/2 feet long. and i just found it right now in my backyard. i currently have it in a box. and i dont knowif its a boy or a girl.

i was thinking about letting it go. but my nephew wants to keep it. (i would take care of it ofcourse, i also have a ball python)

would it be better to let it go and just buy a snake from the local pet shop????

and are gopher snakes in any way poisonous

ok i set it free. i didnt want to keep it. i would rather just buy my nephew a captive born snake. but thanks for the opinions anyway.

Answer 1

It's used to living in the wild and will never be happy in captivity. Turn it loose, you'll do it a favor.

Answer 2

If it's a native species then it's not legal. You'd need a special license to keep it. Secondly, a wild-caught snake is likely to have parasites (internal or external). You should take a snake to the vet, regardless of whether or not it's wild-caught because sometimes there are no signs they have internal parasites until it's too late. Also, this snake knows what the wild is. Snakes will never be domesticated (as in loving and such like a cat or dog). They are solitary animals that don't need or want companionship. And you've picked up a wild specimen, which will make it that much harder to tame. You also have to know what it eats; if it needs a special type of lighting, what heat the tank should be at in the day time and what temp it should be at in the night; the size of the tank it should have; the appropriate type of substrate; etc. All of these things can be answered easily with snakes that are actually kept as pets (corns, kings, pythons, etc). You've picked a type that isn't, so there are no books on their specific needs. Racers themselves aren't known to have the best of attitudes. You'd be better off with a corn snake or a ball python; especially if this is your first snake. A wild-caught snake--esp. one like a racer--is not for a beginner (or anyone without a license for that matter) Let it go and buy a snake from a breeder who'll give you a guaranteed healthy snake that you'll be able to know how to take care of it.

Answer 3

Gopher Snake Care

Answer 4

With proper care, some wild caught gophersnakes can do well in captivity, but unless caught at a very young age, many will stay aggressive and be difficult to feed and handle. A captive bred snake would be a much better choice for most people. Depending on your state regulations, it may not be legal to keep, or you may need a fishing or hunting licence. In California, for example, you may keep up to 4 gophersnakes with a freshwater fishing licence. They are not venomous, although a larger one can give a healthy bite, and infections are possible, so any bites should be cleaned thoroughly.
Also, gophernakes can commonly get over 5 feet long, and max out at 8 feet. They normally eat mice and rats in captivity.
I would recommend captive bred corn, milk, or king snakes (or ball pythons) for the average person. Between these possiblities, you can get just about and color and pattern you can imagine, they handle well, and are affordable. If interested, you can find captive bred gophersnakes, and their close cousins-pine snakes and bullsnakes- for sale in the kingsnake.com classifieds in the "all other snakes" section, and they come in custom bred color variations as well. Captive bred gophers do very well in captivity.
I think you made a good choice to release the snake. In general, I recommend deciding which snake you want, researching it, getting the complete set-up ready, and then getting the snake- much less stressful for you and the snake.

Answer 5

Too bad you released this snake as they make wonderful pets. Too many people on this site have no idea as to the true nature of a snake. They don't get "bored" or long for the wild, they don't(with the exception of King Cobras & certain pythons) care for or protect their young, a purchased snake can give you the exact same diseases that a wild snake can, there's no guarentee that a purchased snake is free of parasites or illness or congenital defects. Do these people think that a pet store snake is happier to be confined than a wild snake? News flash! Snakes aren't that intelligent. If you meet their living requirements, they will thrive, be it in a cage or in the wild. They don't "miss" their freedom.

Answer 6

I had a wild gopher snake for 3 months and fed him mice, he did great, he escaped back to the wild one day. I still miss him, he didn't ever seem overly stressed to be in the aquarium or to be handled, but i'm pretty sure that if your was a female that she's not going back to breast feed her babies but that was a funny answer.

Answer 7

Thank you for releasing this snake. It's actually illegal to capture a wild animal and force it into captivity, anyways. Most snakes, safe to own, are accessible via captive-bred, anyways.

Answer 8

Do the right thing,

Get your nephew a goldfish or a puppy. Let the snake go back home. Dont torture it and keep it.

Youll know all about snakes I assume with having a ball python.

LET IT GO!!!

Answer 9

I do not believe Gopher Snakes are poisonous but I think he may feel better outside. (Or she!) After all, when taking in any wild creature you risk the chance of disease (yours or theirs); or in the very least, SHE may be a mom & has little ones waiting for her return! They could all die without her protection & care.

Answer 10

Hello...Kudo's & Thank U for letting him go ... you're right ..captive breds are best, healthiest & easiest to handle ...Thank U ..you did right for the snake & nature too ..while they are not venemous, they have bad tempers & quick strikes..they snatch & eat, they do not constrict nor kill their food ...wild critters carry serious diseases they are immune to, but you , your nephew, family & other pets are not !!!Take Care :)