why HOTs??

[spike06]

i figured with all the talk about HOTS lately, why not ask why you keep them. so for all you members here who keep them, why do you?

[BRBMOMMA]

bump interesting topic

[DavidD.]

I wnat hots B/C the only way to advance in the hobby is hots. I love hots

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

[EmilyK]

I don't have any right now, but if I do in the future it will be because I love the species and I want to have one.. the same reason I have all of my animals.

[ThomasH.]

Its like keeping a fish tank or arachnids. They are beautiful but you should just observe them and not insist on having your fingers on them all the time. I am an observer. I am happy just looking and learning, I don't insist on touching everything all the time. Any snake lover has to admit that there are some beautiful hots out there.
TBH

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

[dhonaker]

i would guess the answer is the same reason why me boatter and a couple others have a house full of 15 foot pluss snakes hots are awsome i wouldent have them becous i wouldent trust myself with them

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

[Aaron_NSBM]

Originally Posted by dhonaker

i would guess the answer is the same reason why me boatter and a couple others have a house full of 15 foot pluss snakes hots are awsome i wouldent have them becous i wouldent trust myself with them

I would rather take my chances with a full grown burm or tic over a hot any day...

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

[morti]

I don't keep them myself due to legal restrictions here in my city, but there's a couple of recurring themes that tend to come up every time this question gets asked:

1) Education. There is a pretty good group of venomous keepers who do educational presentations specifically involving venomous snakes, how to recognize them, and how to avoid a confrontation with them as well as safe ways of handling them if required. This requires both an intense knowledge of local hots and keeping a couple is helpful for that.

2) Research. There is a very small number of people who keep hots for the purpose of extracting venom to sell to research labs. Venom is a very powerful tool in the creation of many new drugs that can treat everything from diabetes to Alzheimer's. This group is small because a person's facility has to be setup properly for it and the risks of envenomation go up significantly with the increased amount of handling required to milk snakes.

3) Fascination. This is the same reason why I keep snakes at all. I am just absolutely astounded by their amazing beauty, behavior, and habits.

4) Machismo. Having something that will kill you makes you feel more of a man.

I am sure there are others and I am sure that most people have many factors that weigh into it as well.

I really enjoy getting out herping... specifically for Timber Rattlesnakes. I do this because I enjoy interacting with them in nature. I also enjoy learning more about them and their habitat.

I hope a few of the really experienced venomous keepers on here will weigh in on this issue.

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