Written by Madeline Smith, Reptile Care Writer at Zen Habitats
Published: October 13, 2026 · Last Reviewed: October 14, 2026
If you are new to the world of owning reptiles, you may have been told to avoid purchasing wild caught animals, or to seek out "CB/CBB" animals. Or, perhaps, you attended your first reptile show and you are confused about the alphabet soup written on the top of reptile display cases or deli cups.
In this article, we will break down the difference between Captive Bred, Captive Born/Hatched, and Wild Caught reptiles and help you learn the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision for your next pet!
Captive Bred (CBB / CB)
Captive Bred reptiles are often labeled as CBB (Captive Born and Bred) or CB (Captive Bred)
Captive bred reptiles are the offspring of parents that bred in captivity, with the eggs laid (or babies born) and raised in captivity.
You may sometimes see longer versions of the abbreviation that tells you the origin country of where the animals were produced, such as USCBB (United States Captive Born and Bred) or EUCBB (European Captive Born and Bred). This distinction is especially important for breeders trying to obtain captive-bred bloodlines that differ from their own for the purpose of increasing their breeding project's genetic diversity.
Additionally, you may see generational codes like "F1, F2, F3".
Each number represents the number of generations produced in captivity. For example, F1 would be the captive bred offspring of wild caught parents, F2 would be the offspring of F1 animals (or, the grandchildren of wild caught parents) and so on.
These animals may not specifically say "CB/CBB", however the presence of the generational information tells us that they were produced in captivity, and offers additional information of how removed they are from wild-caught animals.
Pros
- Healthier from the get go: CBB animals are far less likely to carry heavy parasite loads.
- Already adapted to captivity: They've never known anything else, so they typically eat readily, handle stress better, and adjust to new enclosures more easily.
- Known history: Reputable breeders can tell you hatch date, feeding history, sex, genetics, and often the parents' lineage.
- Morphs: Selective breeding results in countless colors and patterns.
- No pressure on wild populations: Buying CBB supports sustainable breeding instead of collection from the wild.
Cons
- Usually costs more up front than wild-caught animals of the same species.
- Some less-common species are rarely bred in captivity, so CBB availability can be limited.
- More rare species that only had a few founding individuals and have not had new bloodlines come in can become bottlenecked and have subsequent issues from being more inbred.
Best for: Nearly everyone, and especially first-time keepers.
Captive Hatched (CH) or Captive Born (CB)
Captive hatched animals are the offspring of parents mated in the wild, but were born (or their eggs hatched) in captivity.
Typically, gravid (pregnant) females are collected from the wild and then lay their eggs / birth their litter once they are in captivity. Although many times wild caught animals are collected unknowingly gravid, sometimes gravid animals are intentionally captured from the wild for the purpose of having them lay their eggs or birth their offspring in captivity. This practice is often called "farming," and their offspring may be labeled as "farmed" or "farm-bred"; farming common for species such as ball pythons, many monitors, and some chameleons exported from their native countries.
For live-bearing species, such as boa constrictors, you may see the similar term CB / "captive born," and abbreviations are sometimes used loosely, so always ask the seller if CB refers to captive-bred or captive-born.
Pros
- Generally cheaper than true captive-bred animals.
- Usually healthier and easier to acclimate than wild-caught adults, since the babies spent little or no time in the wild.
- Makes otherwise hard-to-find species more accessible.
Cons
- Possible parasites: Hatchlings can still pick up parasites from their wild-caught mother or from conditions at the export facility.
- Shipping stress: Many CH animals are imported in large shipments, which can mean dehydration, stress, and poor care or few feedings before they are offered for sale.
- Less history: Exact hatch dates and early feeding records are often unknown.
- Feeding challenges: Some CH animals can be stubborn feeders at first.
Best for: Keepers with some experience who are prepared to offer a careful acclimation period.
Wild Caught (WC) and Long Term Captive (LTC)
Wild-caught reptiles were born and lived in the wild before being collected and sold into the pet trade. Many are sub-adults or adults by the time they reach a store or expo table.
Long Term Captive (LTC) animals are animals who were wild caught but have been acclimated to captivity. These animals have typically already been treated for internal / external parasites and have been eating successfully on a captive diet (such as commercially raised mice, rats, or feeder insects).
Always make sure to ask the seller how long the animal has been in captivity and how long they have personally had the animal since "long term" can mean different things to different people.
Ethical importers will always acclimate wild caught animals before selling them.
Though animals may have minor scarring from living in the wild, they will be free of visible disease, parasites, and look overall healthy.
Ethical importers can give you information on the source of their animals, when they arrived, what they have been eating, and how they have been housed.
It is advisable to not support importers that cannot give you this basic information, or if any animals on their table look unwell.
Pros
- Usually the least expensive option.
- Sometimes the only way to obtain species that aren't yet bred in captivity.
- Responsibly sourced, legally imported WC animals bring fresh, unrelated bloodlines into breeding programs, which helps keep captive populations genetically healthy.
Cons
- Parasites and disease: Internal and external parasites are common, and stressed animals are more likely to develop illness like respiratory infections.
- High stress: Capture, holding, and shipping take a heavy toll. Stressed reptiles may refuse food and decline quickly.
- Difficult acclimation: WC animals can be defensive and may never become as tolerant of handling as a CB animal.
- Unknown age and history: You often won't know how old the animal is or what it's been through.
- Impact on wild populations: Unregulated collection can harm local ecosystems and vulnerable species.
Best for: Experienced keepers and breeders who know the species well, have a quarantine setup, and have a good relationship with an experienced reptile veterinarian.
Tips for Buying Any Reptile
- Ask directly: "Was this animal captive bred, captive hatched, or wild caught?" A good seller will answer clearly. If they're vague, be cautious.
- Ask for feeding details: Confirm the animal is eating consistently, and what it's eating, before you bring it home.
- Look for signs of good health: Clear eyes, a clean vent, no stuck shed, good body weight, and alert behavior.
- Quarantine new arrivals: Keep any new reptile separate from your collection for at least 30 to 90 days, regardless of origin.
- Schedule a vet visit: A fecal exam from a qualified reptile vet is a smart first step.
- Know the law: Some species are protected or regulated. Make sure any animal you buy was legally obtained and imported.
For most keepers, captive bred is the best choice. You'll get a healthier, better-adjusted animal with a known history, and you'll support responsible captive breeding. Captive hatched animals can be a solid option if you're prepared for a little extra care up front, while wild caught reptiles are best left to experienced keepers and breeders with a specific need for genetic diversity or dedication to establishing the species in captivity.
Whichever you choose, set up the right habitat before your new reptile arrives. A suitable enclosure goes a long way in helping any animal settle in to their new home.
