Is a wild caught snake safe to keep as a pet?

Before you decide to keep it, check with your DNR to see if it is legal. Im many states, there are restrictions on what wildlife, if any, can be legally taken and kept captive.

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.

It is never a good idea to keep a wild caught animal as a pet, especially reptiles who have very specific dietary needs.

A wild caught snake when brought into a domestic situation could become very easily stressed out, and refuse food/water. It will slowly die from dhydration, starvation, or stress alone. It is also very hard to recreate the environment it is use to. A wild snake is use to a wide area to search for food, and the ability to go where it pleases.

Although the animal may seem tame at the moment, once it gets over the shock of the change it could become very aggressive. Plus this animal could be illegal for you to keep as a pet!

Unless you have a lot of experience with snakes, and even if you do, a wild caught is NEVER a good idea. I suggest going to the pet store and picking up a snake. If you want a tame, easy to care for snake, I suggest a king or a corn snake!

Good luck!

Milk snakes make excellent pets, especially for first time snake owners. It may be more aggressive because it was caught in the wild. Try googling "Caring for milk snakes" that will tell you anything you need to know

I have successfully kept many wild caught snakes, including racers, as pets. There is nothing wrong with it, as long as it is not a rare species, or protected.

However, there are other considerations;

-Wild caught snakes often carry parasites

-Wild caught snakes are often poor feeders in captivity

-Wild caught snakes are often nippier than captive bred

-Racers, in particular, are nervous, high strung snakes. They are active, and need large cages, lots of heat, lots of food, are difficult to handle (they bite and defecate on you), and spend most of their time trying to escape. Very few hobbyists keep racers.

If you are new to snake keeping, a wild caught racer is one of the worst choices you could make. My suggestion is that you release it, and look at some of the captive bred colubrid species.

Thats not a good idea because most wild caught animals do not respond well to captivity and could die from stress. Sumtimes they even refuse food. Its best to put the little guy back in the wilderness.

negative, especially depending on what kind of snake it is. Poisonous or not....A garden snake is probably the only wild snake that is near safe. Bought or found, no matter if it is a snake, dog, or hamster....if it has teeth or claws...it can hurt you. If you keep it just make sure it isn't poisonous and be careful. Keep it in a cage all the time unless supervised with no eyes taken off of it. They move and hide quick

You should never keep a wild animal. Let it be free, if you choose to have a snake go buy one from a pet store. Those are use to being fed.

no it could have diseases if youre aloud to keep it and you really want it take it to the vet and have the doctor check him out oh and if it turns out okay make sure you have all the right preperations for him

you can NOT keep it as a pet!!! y do people keep asking this!! it is a wild animal & not only do you need to have a licn=ense to keep reptiles you need a special permit to catch them out of the wild! be kind, do the right thing & put it back!!