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WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by LRobb88 on May 26, 2011
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Hi,
I've kept copperheads on and off for years--all have been WC specimens that I either caught locally or was hired to catch for other people. I've also kept numerous "non-hots" and aggressive ones at that. I now live in an area plentiful with both Copperheads and Timber Rattlers and, unfortunately, they frequently meet their end close to homes in the area and at the hands of humans. I would much rather these specimens be used in Captive breeding programs or relocated, and I'm wondering both in terms of hobby-accepted ethics and NC state law, is it OK to catch and sell WC specimens? I've done a lot of research and frequently see WC copperheads available but haven't been able to find any solid information on the legality or ethics of this issue. Thanks a lot.
-Logan
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by JSargent on May 26, 2011
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Timber rattlesnakes are protected in NC, no keeping or selling... copperheads are legal to keep and sell, but there is not really much of a market for them...
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by varivenom on May 28, 2011
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Jamies right coppers are beautiful, but hold little value due to overpopulation and ease of breeding. Dont get me wrong I love them. I have 2.3 broadbands. They just are a personal preference with little monitary value.
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by FSB on May 29, 2011
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LRobb - would you mind filling out your profile with an email address or some way of contacting you? Thanks...
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by earthguy on June 1, 2011
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Logan,
From an economic standpoint selling WC copperheads is NOT going to be profitable. At the last show I attended I saw copperheads selling for $5. They still had their sulfur tails, but that is still cheaper than a cornsnake (which I have problems with, but that is a different tyrade all together).
As for the ethical issue - I will be blunt. I feel that it is unethical to sell WC snakes. I have NO problem with reasonable collection from the wild for personal use, because that is an issue that falls under the purview of "pursuit of happiness". Once you start harvesting from the wild in pursuit of financial incentive I feel that some form of oversight is needed lest snakes end up amongst the ranks of passenger pigeons and tazmanian tigers (hunted to extinction by Homo sapiens).
I realize that you are PROBABLY not planning on catching and selling snakes on a wholesale basis. I just think that we as a group should stick to the principle that snakes serve a role in the ecosystem, and we should not remove them except by necessity or PERSONAL (as opposed to COMMERCIAL) use. Just the $.02 of a crusty old fart.
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by FSB on June 6, 2011
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True, but I somehow got the impression that he was collecting them from stressed habitats in populated areas where they could not be left or re-released. I never remove any snakes from "safe" wild habitat that is not in danger of imminent development. Many parts of NC, however, have succumbed to very rapid commercial development that has destroyed once viable habitat throughout the state. Thirty to forty years ago, Emerald Isle (now called the "Crystal Coast" - bleah) was one of the most fantastic areas I have ever seen for snakes. I left most of what I saw there, but now wish I had taken them all, as they are all gone now, and the entire place is a completely sanitized beach-house development. In Patrick County, VA I would cruise the roads almost every night and pick up copperheads and timber rattlesnakes from populated areas, but there was plenty of suitable montane habitat within five miles to release them in. If no such habitat is available, then the snakes are most likely doomed anyway.
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by earthguy on June 7, 2011
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Of all snake species, though, I think that contortrix would be second only to obsoleta in their ability to adapt to surviving in human altered habitat. I've cought southern copperheads and black rat snakes in places that would appear to be otherwise devoid of wildlife. One of the most spectacular copperhead populations that I have ever run across is in a little patch of wilderness (emphasis on little) in the midst of one of the largest tourist destinations in the southeast.
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RE: WC Sales in NC/Southeast
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by agkistrodude on June 7, 2011
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I've caught a couple in Stone Mountain Park in GA. Very heavy tourist traffic, but there are parts of the park where few go.
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