Good First Hot

[VoodooChile]

Ok, my hubby is fascinated with venomous, he has handled WC copperheads in TX as a kid, and corals....but not kept them.
So, before he gets a wild hair and decides to get a King Brown or a Cobra or something, can anyone recommend an "easy" venomous to keep (if such a one exists.
Locally we have copperheads (who doesnt?) corals, diamondbacks & pygmy rattlers, and moccasins/cottomouths. I think he may actually try to catch one if I dont find one for sale soon..HAHA Id rather research than just jump into something

[bcfos1]

Well how much experience does he have with regular non venomous snakes first off. Second has he ever worked with someone who actually keeps venomous snakes? And third what depth of research has he done thus far on them?

Honestly for a first venomous I would stay away from coral snakes. They are picky eaters, stress way too easy, and not for a novice at all. Also I would recommend he read the book Venomous Snakes in Captivity by our own B.W. Smith before getting anything. It is a great source for safety measures and information which one can only get from years of experience keeping venomous snakes. So being the good wife buy it for him and have him read it. Then you and he will have a idea of the equipment you will have to buy and then if he is still wanting one badly maybe a copperhead might fit the bill for his first venomous.

[VoodooChile]

Hey thanks for the advice!
He has a lot of experience with non venoms as we currently have 6 snakes.
We just got a cornsnake from a friend of ours, and we have 2 lrg rescued redtails, 1 sm redtail, 2 ball pythons, (our ball pythons are skiddish, the reds are big babies) He's handled them before, and been bit (not by ours, but by copperheads) And he doesnt seem to think he'd have any trouble, and he may not, but I live here too, and if something happens to him, well I will be the caregiver...so its really for BOTH of us I guess.
My real question was based more or less on the fact that we are trying to start a rescue, and I know one day we will have a venomous come in, and Id rather us start out with our own (after we've done some reading up on them of course) so that when one DOES come in, we will be more knowledgable first hand, (plus they are pretty interesting)
I was thinking copperhead, or pygmy rattler, captive bred if possible..but I will take your advice and read all I can before I make the decision to get one.

[BWSmith]

It is good that However, the first thing to research is laws. You need to dive in make sure that venomous are legal in your state, county and city. Many cities have dangerous animals ordinances.

Next is to research proper procedures for housing and husbandry. This is way too much information for a single post. But there is a great deal involved in just preparing your home or facility, acquiring/modifying caging, preparing protocols, etc. And of course, getting all of the proper equipment before you get the animal.

Just a few considerations for choosing a first venomous:
- A mid-sized species is generally accepted as decent first. Small species such as Pygmies are often harder to work with and may not ride a hook well. Larger species such as atrox get so large that a hook/tail method is often needed and is not a good idea for beginners.
- Availability of antivenom.
- Potential for a lethal envenomation.

[VoodooChile]

I have been checking on venomous laws here in Ark....cant find anything pertaining to it, so I have actually emailed G&Fish comm. to see what they have...Locally NOTHING exists for owning reptiles..Strange..I know Which is one reason we are doing the rescue...lot of owners with snakes and other animals they cant/wont handle.
In fact, according to local Animal Cntrl & Code Enfrcmnt all I need is a Kennel Permit, and I can house as many as i want (NOT POSSIBLE..and Im smarter than that) But that should give you an idea why we need the rescue here..
Arkansas just banned large cats & bears in 05, but so far I cant find anything on snakes..as far as dangerous animals, all they talk about is dogs and large cats/bears.

Anyways, I can see where a pygmy/larger would be difficult. I just know we will get a venomous as a rescue, and Id rather not FALL headfirst into it, Id rather have some experience as a handler with something local/"easier to handle" before that time..Im sure you understand..

As far as housing, we arent that far into it, I am currently in the question/research phase of our interest, and plan to remain here for awhile
Before I rescue ANYTHING, I will know firsthand how to keep it housed properly, and if I can not do it, I will find someone who can.

Native antivenom is available...what do you recommend for non-native if we get in a cobra or something? I havent encountered this, and I dont know if it is possible to order antivenom for cobras, tigers, kraits, etc...

Clearly I need to read more, and I will be doing that, but I would love to get some suggestions from more experienced handlers.

I appreciate the help too by the way!

[BWSmith]

I would not even entertain the idea of exotic venomous at this point.

[VoodooChile]

Well...I wasnt...I was just asking for information...Obstensibly that isnt available on this forum..

[snakebitten69]

man yall are crazy!lol i have a buddy