First venomous snake, need advice.

[evalduxx]

Hello, well in the few moths, I started reading more and more about venomous snakes, and well little by little deciding to get one. Well I have experience with non-venomous snakes, such as Boa constrictor, Python molurus, Lampropeltis getulus California and so on. Few of them have really bad temperament. Also I keep scorpions, well this introduction, I think was needed, to understand, what I want venomous animals not for showing them for others, but for observing them. Well so my question would be like this, firstly for first my venomous snake, I would like something small up to 1 meter not bigger, the smaller, the better. Second thing it would be nice if it was a mice eater, not lizards. Third of course I don’t want a lethal venomous snake, if it’s possible mild venomous. So if it’s possible I would like to hear yours opinion to the snake that fits me.

Thanks.

P.S. Sorry for poor English language, but I think everyone understands me.

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[luker3232]

well i guess ill be the bad guy here. really there is no reason for owning a hot. unless you have a reason like breeding a rare species or such. Try a hognose.

[telefrag]

going to play devils advocate here.

keeping of venomous reptiles by private sector keepers is usually unnecessary.

but if your going to do it regardless of what we say, look into Vipera berus

which may be easy to get depending on the legal requirements in your country.
It may even be native to your area, and legal to collect.
They are small, and not nearly as dangerous as most of the arboreals, just about any crotalid, and certainly less dangerous than any elapid.

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[evalduxx]

Well you might be right, but well I would like to hear some of choices , after all what doesn’t mean what I would go and buy it, first of all a lot of reading, second good preparing, and then if I’ll be lucky buying first of my hot.

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[luker3232]

I say try a rear fanged

SNAKE HOOK

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[evalduxx]

Originally Posted by telefrag

but if your going to do it regardless of what we say, look into Vipera berus
which may be easy to get depending on the legal requirements in your country.
It may even be native to your area, and legal to collect.

Well collecting Vipera berus is illegal in Lithuania. And well no one breed them here for selling.

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[John_E_Dove]

Like the others I really don't suggest getting into hot snakes but if you're going to get one and are looking for a small species I would suggest Crotalus cerastes if you can find one to purchase.
They grow to about 43 - 84 cm.
I sure hope we don't read a news post of your having been bitten.

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[evalduxx]

Well Crotalus cerastes is way too venomous for me, I would like to get something not so dangerous. After all I don't what to risk too much if something happens.

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[telefrag]

what have you been looking at so far?

I would recommend Tropidolaemus wagleri but they are not that easy to care for.

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[evalduxx]

Well I was reading about Cerastes cerastes, not Crotalus cerastes. And well what about Tropidolaemus wagleri? What's so hard about this species?

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[morti]

Agkistrodon contortrix

And I am like all the others when I say, there are many non-venomous snakes out there that would be far better to keep.

Keeping venomous is not something that most people should do.

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[Stargazer]

Uh, I would go for something that would only make you violently ill and send you to the hospital--maybe cause you to lose an arm or a leg--but not kill you. That would be my choice (sarcasm injected for effect).

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[telefrag]

Im not sure how available Agkistrodon are over there, I know if you hop over to Germany during one of the herp shows, you can find just about any hot you could ever imagine.

the wagleri can be really really picky, thats the only reason I say they have a reputation of being harder to keep.

but I only know of peoples experiences with WC's , not true CBB

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	Wild caught wild caught

[FLVenom]

I suggest you find a keeper in your area with venomous reptiles, and work with them for at least a year before you decide to to keep some on your own. You can gain valuable experience in doing so. After you work with another keeper for a while, here is my top three choices to start with.

1. Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)
2. Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon p. conanti)
3. Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon c. contortrix)

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.

[telefrag]

how popular are Agkistrodon in Europe?

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[John_E_Dove]

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Uh, I would go for something that would only make you violently ill and send you to the hospital--maybe cause you to lose an arm or a leg--but not kill you. That would be my choice (sarcasm injected for effect).

ROTFL, Your not just cute you are funny as well.

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[evalduxx]

Well as far as I know were is not somone who work with hot's in Lithuania, well were are few people who have kept one not more hots but thats all, and they know almost nothing, so no use to search fos such people here, because I can understand more in reading forums and collecting own informations. Well so far I'm more, and more deciding to get a rear fanged snake, what will be good start for beginner in venomous snakes. But here's comes other problem, what kind of rear fanged snake to get, of course I'd like to get Boiga dendrophilas or Hydrodynastes gigas but they are way too big, so maybe were is something other choice? And well thanks all for answering and helping for me to decided, and whose good way. BTW sorry for terrible English.

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

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[RowingMunkeyCU]

Go for a Black Mamba, either go big or go home!






j/k - I agree with the others, see if you can find someone that keeps hots already and mentor with them for a while. If you insist on having one now without a mentor, go for a copperhead, they tend to be one of the least venomous snakes available. They also look really cool, to boot.

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

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[Hartsock]

Originally Posted by John_E_Dove

ROTFL, Your not just cute you are funny as well.

LOL, she tries hard...

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[CuZiMoUtSiDeThEbOx]

I got plenty of Crotalus viridis near by and they are FREE you just gotta catch it before it catches you!