Tagging snakes?

Question

ok so during the summer i cought a garter snake. i am keeping it cause it eats. my dad told me though that i had to turn it loose during the winter cause it would be better off hybernating like it was use to, and so it can mate w/ other snakes. do u think i should keep it through the winter, or turn it loose? and also i was wondering about tagging it. if that is possable. i know that they shed so a sticker is out of the question. i mean like an injection like what cats get. and how much would it cost for people who live in the us. (specificaly in indiana)

Answer 1

you never should have kept it to begin with.  It shows a total lack of respect for the snake.  let it go.

Answer 2

Unless you have a degree in biology, I'm sure your state officials would frown on you attempting to alter a wild animal. No, you can't tag it. I have a friend who's a biologist and I've been out in the field numerous times with him and know how they mark snakes for identification at a later time, but my lips are sealed!

In your edit, I can see you're insinuating that all pet snakes come from the wild. This is extremely incorrect. I have close to 200 snakes and all are captive bred. I don't go catching wild snakes for pets, and neither should you.

Answer 3

Just leave the poor thing alone already!