Relocating wildlife (lots of photos)

valleysnakeguy · Jul 28, 2010

So, a couple of friends from the Golden State Herp & Invert Club allowed me to join them last weekend in the efforts to relocate captured nuisance wildlife, specifically rattlesnakes - a total of 28 Northern Pacific's were captured in the month of July and relocated several miles outside the area, where they can roam freely with an abundant source of prey such as rodents & rabbits.

Anyway, here are some photos I'd like to share, comments are welcome!!!

Cal Mt King

Cal King

The officer who gets call-ins for these snake sightings decided to keep this rattler for educational purposes, he's a very dark specimen - almost helleri-looking.

This one's another holdback, due its interesting neck striping.

Inside bin #1:

Inside bin #2:

Inside bin #3:

Inside bin #4: (Notice the interesting pattern at the bottom-most rattlesnake in the image)

Another holdback:

Another darker individual:

valleysnakeguy · Jul 28, 2010

more photos

The transferring job:

Sayin' goodby, enjoy freedom!

Taking refuge in a den:

And some found some comfortable shade on a hot day under a tree upon release:

Overall, it was a great experience! Thanks for lookin'!

PyBoa1964 · Jul 28, 2010

I think it is great what ya'll are doing :thumbsup:

Also, grrreat pictures! I have to ask, what kind of camera did you use for the pictures?

valleysnakeguy · Jul 28, 2010

Thanks! It is a Nikon D5000.

Helenthereef · Jul 28, 2010

My server's too slow to fully get all the photos but great job!

LauraB · Jul 28, 2010

Bee-u-tiful shots! Bee-u-tiful snakes!

And a very worthwhile endeavor, a tip of my imaginary hat and thanks for watching out for the welfare of the animals, first and foremost. Thanks for sharing.

WJS Herps · Jul 29, 2010

Hi Prince -

Thanks for the great post, pictures and your efforts. It's nice to hear about conservation efforts for venomous. I love the pic of the one between the trees and the one that reared up in an s-curve!

Tim Cole · Jul 30, 2010

The intentions are all good but a proven death sentence for those rattlesnakes!

Studies have shown that rattlesnakes are very sensitive to their home range (about 1 mile) and taken out of that area the majority of them will not survive.

iasc300 · Jul 30, 2010

Tim Cole said:
The intentions are all good but a proven death sentence for those rattlesnakes!

Studies have shown that rattlesnakes are very sensitive to their home range (about 1 mile) and taken out of that area the majority of them will not survive.

Awesome pictures! I have read that too, but this is always better than leaving them around homes and people where their death sentence is also proven. Better the chance of moving them to a new uninhabited area than leaving them in populated areas.

valleysnakeguy · Jul 30, 2010

I guess it's a lose/lose situation.

iasc300 · Jul 30, 2010

valleysnakeguy said:
I guess it's a lose/lose situation.

Its not a lose/lose at all. You are doing what you can and I thank you as well as other members on here do too. You are one of the few who actually act and not just talk. Keep doing what your doing because without your help it will be a lose/lose. Keep up the good work and tell your buddies the same. its appreciated :thumbsup:

Tim Cole · Jul 30, 2010

iasc300 said:
Its not a lose/lose at all. You are doing what you can and I thank you as well as other members on here do too. You are one of the few who actually act and not just talk. Keep doing what your doing because without your help it will be a lose/lose. Keep up the good work and tell your buddies the same. its appreciated

Doing what you can does not mean it's in the best interest of the animal.

Recent studies have shown (this was a talk at IHS last week), that crotalids tend to stay away from areas where they have had interaction with humans.

Even being moved a short distance, in this case 50 feet was enough. These animals were outfitted with radio transmitters so the data was accurate.

The same can be said for those that were moved outside of their home range which were radio tracked and succumbed.

iasc300 · Jul 30, 2010

Tim let me ask you a question, If you had the choice between taking a crotalid out of an area where it was conflicting with humans, ie: school where it was going to be killed or capturing it and moving it to the mountains what would choose?

They are also relocating Kings and other species as well, keep that in mind. Not just crotalids.

valleysnakeguy · Jul 30, 2010

Thanks Ryan, and everyone else who supports such causes.

This same discussion can be found at fieldherpforum.com where both sides of opinion are also present. Unfortunately, you can't please everyone.

iasc300 · Jul 30, 2010

You dont need to thank me Prince. I get where your coming from. People always have different opinion on everything its no big deal. I get where Tim is coming from too. I would choose to relocate them and give them the chance at survival than just let them get slaughtered or worse bite some young child out on a playground. You keep doing what your doing Prince its all for the better. Dont let anyone try and change your mind. Your doing the right thing

Tim Cole · Jul 30, 2010

iasc300 said:
Tim let me ask you a question, If you had the choice between taking a crotalid out of an area where it was conflicting with humans, ie: school where it was going to be killed or capturing it and moving it to the mountains what would choose?

They are also relocating Kings and other species as well, keep that in mind. Not just crotalids.

Other choices and methods need to be examined.

I see what part of the problem is. EDUCATION! By removing the non-venomous snakes, rattlesnakes are being ENCOURAGED to do the same thing as the kingsnakes. The snakes would NOT be there if there wasn't a food source.

Remove the food source and the snakes will naturally stop showing up. or at least ALLOW the non-venomous snakes to stay and take care of the rodent issue so the rattlers are not attracted to the area.

I deal with these scenarios quite often. This will be a revolving door for rattlesnakes unless dealt with from an educational level. :deadhorse

Keep in mind, you are talking to a Yankee that arrived in Texas 26 years ago to discover that the majority of Texans that ask me to remove a rattlesnake don't have a rattlesnake :shrug01:

but a Texas Rat Snake or Bullsnake! :shootfoot

LOL

iasc300 · Jul 30, 2010

^lol

But still my question stands?
Would you let it be killed or remove it and relocate it?

Tim Cole · Jul 30, 2010

iasc300 said:
^lol

But still my question stands?
Would you let it be killed or remove it and relocate it?

It's not that cut and dry if they are moving all snakes.

I would move it to within a mile but it does no good with out addressing why it's there.

iasc300 · Jul 30, 2010

Point taken and true! But your professional opinion is the max you can move a crotalid without death?? is 1 mile?

Wolfy-hound · Jul 30, 2010

If you have to choose between relocating or letting the property owner kill it, I say relocate. At the same time, try to educate about snakes and why the snakes come there, and what sort of snakes they might be able to bring in(like kingsnakes or other nonvenomous species)to discourage more rattlers from moving in perhaps? If nothing else, bringing in nonvenomous with the property owner's permission will start the process of "There are good snakes" from the old mentality of "Kill all snakes".

Relocating wildlife (lots of photos)

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