deworming reasons

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Posted by James Van Dyke on April 11, 2002 at 23:05:49:

In Reply to: Re: Keep or release? continued... posted by JP on April 11, 2002 at 20:21:01:

It is possible that your snake never fed in the wild, but there other ways for it to get parasites. It could pick them up from the water or burrowing through leaf litter and dirt. Also, remember that the majority of wild animals carry parasites of one form or another and not all of them are harmful to a species with which it has evolved. What I'm saying is, a native snake's immune system may be able to deal with the parasites it has unless it gets very weak. A non-native snake however, may not have evolved those same defenses and could be weakened or even killed. The purpose of deworming is mostly to protect the other reptiles in a collection- the snake that has it is probably just a benevolent host that really isn't affected.

If you don't have any other reptiles (can't remember if you said you do) then I wouldn't worry about it, if you do, or if you plan to sell/give it to someone else, have it dewormed.

If you do keep other reptiles and they havent gotten sick yet, then either they have similar defenses or they haven't been exposed yet. I wouldn't take any chances...

again, good luck

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: It is possible that your snake never fed in the wild, but there other ways for it to get parasites. It could pick them up from the water or burrowing through leaf litter and dirt. Also, remember that the majority of wild animals carry parasites of one form or another and not all of them are harmful to a species with which it has evolved. What I'm saying is, a native snake's immune system may be able to deal with the parasites it has unless it gets very weak. A non-native snake however, may not have evolved those same defenses and could be weakened or even killed. The purpose of deworming is mostly to protect the other reptiles in a collection- the snake that has it is probably just a benevolent host that really isn't affected. : If you don't have any other reptiles (can't remember if you said you do) then I wouldn't worry about it, if you do, or if you plan to sell/give it to someone else, have it dewormed. : If you do keep other reptiles and they havent gotten sick yet, then either they have similar defenses or they haven't been exposed yet. I wouldn't take any chances... : again, good luck

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