If you plan to capture your new pet yourself, be sure to stop by your local Fish and Game or Wildlife Department and familiarize yourself with the legalities of reptile collecting.
Some states require that you hold a permit to collect specimens, and may limit how many specimens you may collect.
In some areas, you might need a permit to keep your new pet in your own home.
Certain states prohibit the transportation of captured reptiles across state lines.
If you plan to take your new pet into another country, you will need to investigate export and import regulations.
In addition to state regulations, some reptile species are covered by Federal regulations, such as those covered under the Endangered Species Act. Your local fish and game officer will be able to tell which species are protected under the Act.
The Capture:
Most reptiles are easily caught by hand, although a snake hook or tongs can be useful in catching snakes. In addition, you need quick reflexes and something to put your catch into, like a specimen bag or a jar.
Before you reach out and grab 'something', make sure that you know what it is!
Familiarize yourself with endangered species in your area, and do not disturb them.
Learn to recognize the various life stages of your prey. Do not collect very young specimens, as they may not survive. Also, do not collect specimens tending to their young.
If you are snake hunting, learn to identify venomous snakes. Unless you have received professional training, never attempt to capture a venomous snake.
Common Reptiles:
There are a variety of common reptiles that you will come across when walking in the wild. What you see on your walk will depend upon the location and the season, but on average, if you look closely you will see. . .
Snakes
Due to the danger of possible misidentification, I will not describe individual species of snakes. Before you embark on snake collecting, make a through study of them. There are thousands of species of snakes, of which only a small portion are venomous. However, it only takes one bite to kill. Until you can routinely, and accurately identify the venomous and nonvenomous varieties – do not attempt to collect snakes.
If you don't mind feeding live animals, such as mice or rats to a snake, these can make very nice, very quite pets. Be forewarned, not everyone will agree!
In many locals, it is illegal to keep venomous snakes in a residential building.
Lizards
When capturing lizards, do not grab them by their tails. In many varieties, this will cause their tail to 'fall off'.
Salamanders, which are amphibians, look a great deal like some lizards. You can tell a salamander from a lizard in that a salamander does not have scales or claws, while a lizard does.
Turtles
Turtles are plentiful and easy to care for. All turtles have shells into which they can pull their bodies in times of danger. They are found in a variety of habitats and exhibit an infinite variety of colors and markings. Unusual varieties include:
Diamondback Terrapin's only live in salt or brackish water and have diamond patterns on their backs.
Gopher Tortoises have feet that resemble the feet of elephants.
Snapping Turtles are freshwater turtles with powerful jaws that can literally snap off a finger or two.
Sea Turtles are a protected species and cannot be collected.
Softshelled Turtles – have soft shells, tend to look liked pancakes, and are vicious fighters.
Amphisbaenia
These are 'weird' reptiles, resembling a cross between a snake and worm. Amphisbaenia's have scales but no external ear openings. Only a few of the 150 plus varieties have legs.
Florida Worm Lizard – are found only in Florida and due in part to its pink coloration looks a bit like an overgrown earthworm.
Crocodilians
If you live in an area where crocodiles, alligators or caimans are plentiful – look but don't touch. For one, in most areas their capture is illegal. Secondly, reptiles grow their entire lifes, that sweet little four inch croc will grow up to be a monster that will eat your neighbor's dog for an appetizer.
Collecting reptiles can be fun and educational. With proper care, your new pet can live a long and healthy life in captivity.
