First off, let me say one more time: I do NOT recommend ANYONE keeping venomous reptiles. Theya re inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or DEATH!! Lord know my parents still don't like it! They have been to ONE of my "out-of-cage" venomous programs and swear that they will never...

I think if you have to ask yourself if you're ready... you're probably not.
Its just one of those things that, as a herper, just hits you one day. Hopefully not literally.

Rav

I think that you phrased it very well, Ravnos.

Rev, thank you. Whether you realize it or not, your words are a compliment. Concentration and awareness are a major part of hots. Rev, realized something that evening that many never realize. You can joke around and hang out all you want, but as soon as that cage door opens, it is all "business". Rev witnessed two of the most unnerving parts of venomous herpetoculture, force feeding and too many hots in one cage. The first, force feeding. I had to force feed baby Pygmy Rattlers mouse legs. Going back to the topic: Are you ready for a hot? Sure Pygmies are considered a "Beginner Hot" because they are (usually) nonlethal. But they have extremely hemotoxic and cytotoxic venom. Is it worth being able to say that "I lost that finger to a pet rattler"? Not only that, but Rev can vouche that I screwed up. I cut the mouse legs wrong. On one particular snake, I had to pin it three times. The cut was wrong and I risked injuring the snake internally by attempting to force feed it the particular cut configurations. I have no problem with admitting that I screwed up. Not only did it increase the stress on the me, but also the snake. Just for the record: Force feeding a hot is a last resort, you never know what damage it can do to you or you to it. Not to mention the stress on both parties. The second most stressful thing that he witnessed was dealing with multiple hots in one cage. When you come accross as many hots as I do in rescues, quarintine works for a a while. But eventually, they need an enclosure. I have had more copperheads come in recently than I imagined (about 15). I have my breeding pairs or trios set up and the ones with special needs, but the "general population" is ina large enclosure for the time being. I will be the first to admit that it is not he preferred way of keeping them (especially having to separate them out for feeding). But I do have them that way for now. I had to sort through them to find a particular one to hook and put in tupperware for someone. Seven copperheads in one large enclosure. While it may be plenty of space for them, it makes it stressful. You have to watch the one on the hook, and every other snake int he cage in case they decide to make a break for it. Are you ready for hots? "I would NEVER keep more than one hot snake per cage unless they were breeding". If you can hold to that through the years, I commend you. But it is not a reality. It is not the way I would prefer it, but given the situation, it is neccesary. But still not the safest environment. But can, and probably will happen if you work with hots. Are you ready for the "Hot Briarpatch"?
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Quote:

Are you ready for the "Hot Briarpatch"?

So said Brerr Rabbit.

Well put to you also Brian.
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I can honestly say I will never have the skill it takes to handle a hot. I am to jumpy of a person by nature to be calm and reserved when a large reptile is on the defensive. Brian you article was well written and thought out. It is nice to see that not only do you have the skill (and courage) to work with these animals, but you also have the ability to be a persuasive and highly thought prevoking author of them as well. Just wanted to let you know the thoughts were great and I think you have reinforced my belief that my HOBBY will never become as full blown as your love for theses dangerous animals.
Trina
P.S. 0.1 you are one brave woman...... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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I will admit that hots do interest me and one day I want to keep them, but I know that I am not ready and won't be for a long time. The problem is that I live in North Dakota ( no herp laws at all) but nobody also keeps them.
I am usually the one asked about something but I just read about them. have owned a very young snapping turtle and know I have a leopard gecko. I would like someone to teach me how to handle snakes but know one around keeps them
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I'm always asking mom but she says I'm not allowed to have a snake until I move out. Which will be this summer she is very scared of snakes. And for the first year my leopard gecko. She still won't touch him.
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very informitive. I have no desire to keep hots but I am very facinated by them and by all creatures. I might venture in to hots one day but I'm not ready for it just yet Your story was awesome Brian good luck and enjoy your hots I'll stick to my boas [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Excellent article!!! It's something any person should consider before ever attemting to even handle a hot snake!!! From my experience, I have had a few and luckly never got bit, actually I had hot snakes and a green anaconda, and I got bit by her instead of my gaboons. I think the best way to see if you are ready for one is to get in touch with someone who has them and see how they work with them. Eyes on experience will either make you want one and know that you can handle it or it will frighten you away for good, which in most cases that's exactly what will happen. Either way it's your own life that's at risk, so think it through for a loooonnnnnngggggggg time before getting one!
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FYI BW: Do you mind if I put this into the Snake Caresheets?

Hmmm, trying to make it sticky again.

LOL...I'm sure glad I'm not the only one that seems clueless on that. I looked everywhere I could think to make this thread sticky. If I remember though, I seem to think it has to be done when the thread is created? Not sure about that though.

Merged to make Sticky.

See...I knew there was someone around here that was smart!
Good job BW.

I personally dont know why someone would want to own a "hot" snake because what happens if you do get bitten, and you manage to get your self to the hospital on time just to find out they dont have any anti-venom? I would rather take my chances with a large constrictor.

I saw this show a couple of weeks ago, it was kind like what is more dangerous a king cobra or a 20' anaconda or something like that, and even tho the king cobra's venom is very deadly it still takes time to kill you, while if a 20' anaconda was constricting you, your eyes would pop with all the blood being forced to your head in a matter of seconds... but still I rather have a constrictor (preferably 5-8ft) then any "hot".

Responisble keepers make sure they know what hospital can properly treat their injuries. They always have certain post bite protocols in place that cover everything from securing the snake, to specifics on treatment.
They have emergency contacts information listed in the bite protocols, phone numbers of places such as Miami Dade Venom Unit, among others programmed into their cell phones, their mentors phone numbers, and in most cases, a partner working with them when they are performing tasks in the Hot room. These partners act as speakers for the patient, and make sure the patient, the snake, and treatment is handled appropriately.

To underestimate a large constrictor is very unwise, even a 6-8ft snake could kill you, and to quote BW Smith "there is no antivenin for asphyxiation".

"there is no antivenin for asphyxiation". that is true but luckily constricts dont suffocate their prey, which is what a lot of people believe but they actually stop the blood flow before you cant actually breath anymore =] so as long as you are smart and DO NOT put a constrictor around your neck you will be fine...

and from what I have read of your post it sounds like you are referring to someone who works at say a zoo or other kind of reptile house and not the common "hobbyist" which is mainly what I was referring to when I said why would someone want a hot as a pet...

Double Post Sorry

By that reasoning a venomous keeper can just say "I won't get bitten" and all will be fine. Thankfully not all keepers feel that way, and that is why they work with another experienced person in the room, and have protocols in place.

It is my belief that ANY animal placed in inexperienced keepers hands can be dangerous to that keeper or others, or in danger itself from the keeper or others.

The keepers I made reference to are all private keepers, I can think of ONE zookeeper.

"It is my belief that ANY animal placed in inexperienced keepers hands can be dangerous to that keeper or others, or in danger itself from the keeper or others."

that is true, but "By that reasoning a venomous keeper can just say "I won't get bitten" and all will be fine."

has nothing to do with what I said, if you keep any constrictor away from your neck then it can not suffocate someone and I dont see a 6-8ft constrictor being able to stop the blood flow of an average size adult...

I just realized we're hijacking this 3yr old thread..LOL

If you keep up with the news stories involving constrictor deaths, you will find one of a man who went to perform cage maintenance in his Burm's cage, he managed to slip, and the snake got ahold of him and constricted.

This guy was an experienced keeper, had been keeping large constrictors all his life. (I'll try to dig up the story, it's been a few mos. since I read it)

In any case, I'm just saying don't ever think just because you may have experience, or your snake isn't venomous, or isn't around your neck, you are safe. Don't ever underestimate them, is all I want to say
Always have a back up plan