I developed a general rating system that rates how well a wild caught reptile has adapted to the captive setting. I initially created this for my Dragon Snakes, but it can be universally applied to various wild caught reptiles. The assessment is designed to help document the status and progression of health, eating habits and behaviors of wild caught specimens in the captive setting. __________________________________________________________________________________________ The assessment of adaptivity is a scale ranging from 1 - 5 rating how well a wild caught specimen has adapted to the captive setting and measures the predicted outcome for survivability over the next year. 1 - Very poor adaptivity. Regularly exhibits signs of extreme stress and moderate - severe illness or disease. Rarely accepts food. Highly unlikely to survive the next year.
2 - Poor adaptivity. Frequently exhibits some signs of stress. Mild - moderate illness or disease present and/or increased vulnerability. Refuses food on a regular basis. Has potential to survive the next year, but unlikely. 3 - Moderate adaptivity. Occasionally exhibits signs of stress but otherwise appears healthy. Food is accepted intermittently with some refusals. Likely to survive the next year if condition improves. 4 - Good adaptivity. Rarely exhibits signs of stress and is seemingly healthy. Eats consistently with few refusals. Very likely to survive the next year. 5 - Excellent adaptivity. Almost never exhibits signs of stress and is clearly healthy and thriving. Eats consistently with no refusals. Highly likely to survive the next year and beyond.
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There are some reptiles that should simply be left to the wild. This assessment allows us to more clearly see whether certain animals can thrive in captivity or not when placed under the correct care.
Please remember that the animal's best interest in the long-term should always come first, be it in captivity or in the wild. You may download the visual outline of the Assessment of Adaptivity below.
