What would you keep?

[Bry]

If you could keep ANY kind of venomous snake regardless of size, temperament, level of toxicity, etc. what kind of venomous snake would you keep, and why?[addsig]

[JuliusSqueezer]

I fully intend on keeping some copperheads as soon as I find a nice pair. Why? well because they are absolutly beautiful animals and if I decide to breed, I prefer snakes that give live birth. Also, both of my sisters are teachers and I will end up being the snake guy that comes to the schools someday so I need to represent all of the species that I can but prefer to keep hots to a minimum for safety reasons. Eyelash vipers are another favorite but I'm gonna stick to admiring pictures of them and loving them from afar.

[Bry]

Oh yeah, the copperheads are sweet. I would probably go for any sort of rattler, preferably one of the diamondbacks. I find the rattlers fascinating and I think the diamondbacks are the most beautiful of them all. And if I were going to give lectures on rattlers, I would think diamondbacks would be the best ones to show and talk about because rattlers are probably the most feaared snakes in the U.S. and diamondbacks are the most well-known rattlers. My 2nd choice would be either a gaboon viper or some sort of cobra. I just think the gaboons are just cool snakes and it'd be cool to just have a snake w/ 2 inch teeth. [img]images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Cobras on the other hand are just wicked, and anything that can spread their necks out like that rule in my book. [img]images/forum/icons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[addsig]

<font size=1>[ This message was edited by: Bry on 2001-08-11 17:51 ]</font>

[Tom]

I would love to have a Gaboon viper. I think they have a very nice pattern & colors.
My Vet Dr. Reed has one and 3 Diamondbacks , 2 Monaco cobras and 1 Eyelash viper.
So it is nice to go and look at them any time I want to. This way I do not have to worry about getting bit by one.[addsig]

[JuliusSqueezer]

I have a thing for rattlers too and do ALOT of roadside rescue for the little guys...but living in a small place and prefering peace and quiet...I have so far chosen to avoid the noisy little beasts as pets.

[Pat]

I'm with Julius. Copperheads rock and if I didn't have kids, I would consider a pair. I fully realize I'm not experience enough and do have kids though so I'm not even considering it. I did come across one in a creek while turkey hunting in Southern OH a few years ago. Very cool snake![addsig]

[hisba]

My favorites are the Yellow Eyelash Vipers!
(who are also supposed to be "good starters
for hot keepers") I would love to have one..
but alas venomous are illegal here in CA...
maybe that's a good thing. I'm hoping
to get a blue-chinned-cat-eyed rear fanged
tho.... (beccah! how's your's doing?)

OH YEAH, Julius... I've been thinking of signing
up as a resource to relocate snakes (if people
find in their homes and want them gone)...
I doubt it happens too often around here,
and if it does it would mainly be king, gopher,
racer and garter snakes... we do have some
rattlesnakes in the outskirts tho... what would
be a good way to go about learning how to
handle them safely for relocation? (I figure,
a good snake hook, good snake bags, heavy
leather gloves, and ask at my herp society
if anyone has experience? any other hints
or books or anything I should check out?)
(just throwing the idea around right now)

<font size=1>[ This message was edited by: hisba on 2001-08-13 13:03 ]</font>

[Sabazios69]

I like the Golden Eyelash Viper also and I really would love a Red Spitting Cobra.
I have seen one before and fell in love with it.
Spits 12 feet so I've been told.

Sabazios69 [img]images/forum/icons/icon_mad.gif[/img] [addsig]

[JuliusSqueezer]

Leather gloves always sound like a good idea but I never feel like I have a good grip on the hook or tongs so I would rather bare hand. Also gloves give a false sense of security. If they can bite ya where the gloves are, they can bite ya where they aren't. A large 5 gallon bucket with air holes along the top sides and a secure snap on lid is better for hots because it's hard to get the snake in the bag without getting bit from holding it open. Also alot of bites occur thru the bag. Your biggest threat is gonna be from some pervert that hears there is a hotty in the area rescuing snakes calling you to come catch a snake that isn't there other than his..well you get the drift. DO NOT go alone.

[kid]

Hisba i was on the CA fish and game page and i think if im not mistaken that you can keep native ven species , all rear fanged snakes except the boomslang.
Oh yeah i would keep a puff adder

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

[faze]

hmm.... i dont think i would keep any just for safety reasons and my wife and children [img]images/forum/icons/icon_razz.gif[/img] [addsig]