The ethics of snake breeding

[grantjames]

This is probably one of the most discussed topics in the snake industry, but I'm interested to know what peoples' views are.

I LOVE watching SnakebytesTV! I watch it every week! But then I think to myself, they have around 30,000 snakes...is this ethical? This is of course, not because of demand for all snakes, but because of demand for the high end morphs. So most of those 30,000 snakes will live their whole lives in a drawer in a big room, only ever seeing some light briefly once a week when they're fed.

But if these snakes eat and breed, then surely they're happy like that?

Or are they? I know they're not like mammals that need enrichment to keep them from getting bored, but it does make you wonder whether snakes that were by-products of morph breeding really do enjoy their lives.

The reason I ask is because personally I really don't know what to think. I'd really like to breed snakes when I have the room and money but can't decide what my own views are on the ethics of it.

I don't know if I've worded this post badly...I'm not simply going to "pick" someone else's view as my own! I'm just curious to see if anyone has any thoughts on the topic that I haven't previously thought of.

[bladeblaster]

you could apply the same logic to any animal. All domesticated animals are bred purely to fulfil a human requirement.

Also if you buy a snake, you have already contributed towards something you may think is unethical, so its a bit late to worry about it now.

[Graffen]

It is quite interesting actually. In Sweden, where I live, we have laws about minimum size of cage for different reptiles regarding type and size and if they are arboreal or not. It isnīt ethical in any way to keep animals in small dark boxes all their lives, no matter what the breeders say, because they are only in it for the money! Do you think the breeders for the fur industry cares about the ethical aspect of their animal-keeping? Same mentality, different animals. If a hobby breeder persists in keeping all of his snakes in tubs, I donīt regard them as Herperīs but rather more like "in it for the money"-breeders.

[Natonstan]

To be honest I give all my reptiles a large enclosure regardless of morph, only when it comes to breeding then I change stuff around to accommodate this but most of the year there in a nicely set up enclosure

[grantjames]

Breeding ethically would be such a difficult uphill struggle then really. Because I doubt any person would have the money or room to home every single adult royal in their collection in a 36"x18"x18" vivarium.

[wildlifewarrior]

Originally Posted by grantjames

Breeding ethically would be such a difficult uphill struggle then really. Because I doubt any person would have the money or room to home every single royal in their collection in a 36"x18"x18" vivarium.

but why is a better enclosure more ethical

some people live in a 1 bedroom flat with no garden or garage and do completely fine....some people live in mansons and do completely fine....but you could then say why does a person need 10+ bedrooms when they only use one.

its depends on what it takes for soemthing to thrive really.
i keep my viper boas in ridiculously small enclosures....but all of mine feed,poo and breed...even though there well know to be poor feeders and breeders.

i personaly think its a case of manipulating a snake to thrive in its enclosure

[bladeblaster]

is it any more ethical to keep an essentially wild animal in a 3 x 2 x 2 wooden box, than it is to keep one in a 54L plastic box?

I am pretty sure the animal doesn't know the difference between a plastic box and a wooden one.

Anyone who thinks that they are any more 'ethical' buy using a wooden box is, IMO, deluded.

[wildlifewarrior]

Originally Posted by bladeblaster

Anyone who thinks that they are any more 'ethical' buy using a wooden box is, IMO, deluded.

depends what your using it for

i tried using wood for making a bath. didnt work well

[bladeblaster]

Originally Posted by wildlifewarrior

depends what your using it for

i tried using wood for making a bath. didnt work well

probably better than my wooden frying pan, that was a total disaster

[naja-naja]

if the tubs are the same size as the vivs, and contain hides and water-bowls, then there is no problem. also, in the wild they hide in burrows all the time, only seeing the light of day to feed, so whoever said that about tubs has a moot point.