Possibilities to Differentiate Wild Born from Captive Bred Reptiles

Abstract. A large number of reptiles have been imported to Europe during the last years. Governmental officers are very often challenged by the question, whether these animals are farmed as documented in the papers or taken directly from the wild. The answer has very often to be given by the veterinarian performing the first inspection. What possibilities does the veterinarian have to distinguish between captive bred and wild caught reptiles? In 2011 a large number of reptiles was confiscated and housed in the Reptile Rescue Center Munich, to decide whether the majority – freshly imported from Indonesia – were really bred in Indonesia as declared or not. During the first health inspection of 69 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis) and 57 monitors of different species (V. beccari, V. macraei, V. similis, V. prasinus, V. yowonoi, V. kordensis, V. boehmei, V. melinus, V. jobiensis, V. salvator, V. salvadorii, V. indicus, V. reisingeri) fresh injuries by tick bites and attached living ticks on some animals were found. Furthermore, behavioral patterns were documented during this first period. Additionally faecal samples and blood smears were examined at different labs.