Can Pet Snakes Survive in the Wild? Experts Weigh in on the Risks (2024)

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While you may believe your pet snake could endure in the wilderness, the grim truth is that it’s highly improbable for a captive-bred snake to prosper independently. Pet snakes generally lack the essential survival abilities and adjustments to locate suitable nourishment, shelter, and protection from predators in a natural environment.

Furthermore, the liberation of non-native snake species can disrupt sensitive ecosystems, harming native wildlife. As a conscientious pet owner, it’s paramount to guarantee your snake remains securely confined within its enclosure.

If you’d like to acquire additional knowledge about the perils and consequences of liberating pet snakes, kindly proceed reading.

Can a Pet Snake Survive in the Wild?

Yes, a pet snake can survive in the wild, but it isn’t recommended. Snakes in the wild have the ability to regulate their body temperature, choose what and when to eat, and if and when to reproduce. However, in captivity, they lack these choices and may experience stress, which can lead to a high mortality rate within the first year.

Additionally, snakes kept in captivity may suffer from starvation, dehydration, parasites, respiratory infections, and mouth rot due to poor care.

It’s important to note that snakes are wild animals and shouldn’t be purchased as pets. Instead, they should be left in their natural habitats to live freely.

Is the Snake I’ve Found an Escaped Pet?

If you’ve found a snake and are unsure if it’s an escaped pet, there are several steps you can take to help with species identification. First, observe the snake’s size, coloration, and behavior, as pet snakes can vary widely in these aspects. You can also refer to online resources, such as iSpot, which can assist in identifying species based on their characteristics.

Additionally, check with your neighbors to see if anyone is missing a pet snake, as this could help narrow down the possibilities. Remember, most pet snakes are harmless, but it’s always best to exercise caution and avoid handling them without proper knowledge or experience.

What to Do With an Escaped Pet Snake

If you stumble upon a snake that’s taken a walk on the wild side, don’t just leave it to fend for itself. Escaped snakes, used to captive life, could struggle with finding food and dodging predators.

Prevention measures like secure enclosures nip escaping causes in the bud. But if the slithery escapee is already out, guide it into a container and contact a knowledgeable keeper.

Emergency Reptile Rescue & Re-homing

If you’ve found an escaped pet snake, it’s essential to act to protect its well-being and that of others. Here are some steps to think about:

1. Catch the snake: If you can safely catch the snake, it’s best to do so. This will stop it from harming native wildlife or causing undue alarm.
2. Re-homing: If you’re not able to care for the snake, consider contacting local animal welfare groups or the British Herpetological Society for help. They may be able to help you find a suitable keeper for the snake.
3. Euthanasia considerations: If the snake is in poor health or can’t be re-homed, euthanasia may be a compassionate option. Talk to a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator to discuss this further.
4. Venom extraction: If the snake is venomous, it’s important to avoid handling it. If you’re unable to catch the snake, consider calling a professional snake removal service for assistance.

Can Pet Snakes Survive Outside?

While pet snakes may temporarily survive in the wild due to their ability to hide and fast, releasing them into the wild is generally considered cruel and irresponsible. Captive snakes often lack the necessary survival skills and adaptations to thrive long-term in natural environments, putting them at high risk from factors like climate, food scarcity, predators, and disease.

Climate

When you encounter a snake in your garden or public space, it’s imperative to ascertain its origin. Non-native snakes, such as corn snakes, king snakes, pythons, and boas, are often kept as pets and can escape into the wild. If you discover an escaped pet snake, it’s vital to apprehend it and return it to captivity under the care of a responsible keeper. Releasing it into the wild may engender difficulties, as it could face perils, pose risks to native wildlife, or arouse concern among others.

Climate exerts a profound influence on a snake’s survival. In the wild, snakes are attuned to specific climates and can hibernate or enter a state of torpor when temperatures decline. However, captive snakes depend on artificial heating, such as heat lamps, which can render them susceptible in the wild. Frigid temperatures can induce lethargy and impede digestion, while food decay in the digestive tract can be lethal. Nocturnal snakes must adapt their routines and become exposed to predators during the day.

Food

Pet snakes can survive outside, but their food availability and competition can pose significant challenges. In the wild, snakes are opportunistic feeders, hunting a variety of prey depending on their natural habitat and the availability of food sources. However, captive snakes lack the hunting instincts and skills necessary to find and catch prey in the wild. They may be picky eaters and prefer specific types of prey, such as rodents, which can be difficult to find in the wild. Additionally, wild prey is different from the frozen-thawed mice and other commercial prey items commonly fed to captive snakes.

Competition for food in the wild can also be intense, as snakes may starve or be outcompeted by other predators. Snakes may struggle to find enough food to support their energy needs and maintain their health. This can lead to lethargy, slow digestion, and even death due to food decomposition in the digestive tract.

To safeguard the survival and well-being of pet snakes, it’s essential to provide a balanced and varied diet that mimics their natural feeding habits as closely as possible. This may include introducing birds and fish into their diet, as these prey items can provide a range of nutrients and enrich the feeding experience. However, it’s critical to source these alternate prey items from reliable suppliers to avoid exposing the snake to potential parasites or toxins.

Predators

Predators in captivity are a different story than wild predators. Captive snakes lack the ability to avoid predators, as they aren’t adapted to the same environments and behaviors as their wild counterparts. Snakes in captivity don’t have the same predator avoidance behaviors as those in the wild, as they aren’t faced with the same threats on a daily basis.

In the wild, predators have adapted to their environments and have specific strategies for hunting and avoiding being hunted. For example, some snakes have developed coloration that helps them blend in with their surroundings, making them less visible to predators. Others have developed behaviors that help them avoid predators, such as being active during different times of the day or night when predators are less active.

On the other hand, captive snakes lack these adaptations and are more vulnerable to predators. They may not be able to escape or defend themselves effectively, making them easy prey for predators. Additionally, captive snakes are often kept in enclosures that don’t mimic their natural habitats, which can make them more vulnerable to predators.

Territoriality among predators is also a factor to evaluate. In the wild, predators often establish territories to defend their resources and mates. This can lead to conflicts between predators, which can affect the survival of both the predator and its prey. Captive snakes, however, aren’t subject to these territorial conflicts, as they’re kept in controlled environments.

Sickness and Disease

If you think your garden’s a safe haven for an escaped pet snake, think again. These slithery escapees are sitting ducks for parasite transmission, with no street smarts to dodge bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Their disease susceptibility is like a ticking time bomb, and without their usual vet check-ups, they’re playing Russian roulette with Mother Nature’s microbes.

The Impact of Released Pet Snakes on Ecosystems

If you’ve found a snake in your garden or public space, it might be an escaped pet. Here’s what you should do:

1. Identify the snake: Use online resources like iSpot or consult with neighbors if you have a missing pet.
2. Capture the snake: Take it into captivity with a responsible keeper.
3. Emergency reptile rescue: Contact the RSPCA or Scottish SPCA for assistance.
4. Re-homing: Local animal welfare charities may also offer help.

Releasing pet snakes into the wild can have severe consequences. They may:

• Disrupt food chains
• Transmit diseases
• Cause habitat invasion
• Raise ethical and legal concerns

Pet snakes aren’t adapted to survive in the wild. They lack hunting instincts and may starve or be outcompeted. Additionally, releasing captive snakes can lead to the extinction of native species, as seen with the Burmese python in Florida’s Everglades.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)