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OK, another rant from me. So it may not be easy to follow, but there is a point somewhere. I have learned that I jump around a lot. The following are my opinions and observations and are bound to tick of a few people. But so be it.
It has been said over and over, that if you want to get into hots to train with an experienced keeper. I have said it more times than I can count. And I have trained people before. Very select people. Only those that struck me as wanting to learn the proper methods, tricks to be safe, handling and husbandry. A very select few. Only those that showed a true love of these animals and a respect for thier potential. A very select few. I am a safety nut. And I believe all hot keepers should be. We are a dying breed. The yolks of restrictions are ever tightening on us. Laws are being passed every day, not for the regulations of hots, but the banning of them. What causes this? Generally it can be traced back to irresponsible keepers. They may be experienced, but irresponsible. This combination is most dangerous to us. These may even be people that work in zoos, nature centers, education, or other high profile positions. Just because someone has an "official" position does not make them responsible keepers. There are certain "veterans" that I would never give or sell animal to, even if they offered me 5 times the market value. These are the people that are experienced, yet irresponsible. Unfortunately, these people often become mentors to aspiring hot keepers. This is bad mojo in my book. Because, no matter your particular practices, you should TEACH "by the book". You cannot control what people do alone, but you can control the lessons you teach them.
So let me speak first to the "teachers":
Youa re the one that the aspiring hot keepers look up to. "Do as I say, not as I do" does not work here. Demonstrate by example. Show the perfect handling and husbandry techniques. Explain the features of your hot room and why they are in
place. Explain features that should be there, but are not yet in place. Knowledge is the key to survival in this game. Become aware of every gesture and action you make so that you can explain WHY you did something or did not do something. Go
over every feature of the cage and teh room and why it is imperative. Often we do so much out of habit or instict, that we
forget why we do it or even IF we are doing it. If the person has never kept a snake, they are NOT READY. If a person has only worked with say, ball pythons and cornsakes, they are not ready. This one will tick people off, but anyone who idolizes Croc Hunter IS NOT READY. Anyone who doesn't care what species,a s long as it is venomous, is not ready. Anyone who wants a specific hot, but does not know the latin name, is not ready. Here is a good test. If they want a Bush Viper, make sure they know where to get antivenin I advocate proper handling and housing. But I am a realist. Not everyone adheres to the rules. But if you are teaching, be safe and be as "perfect" as you can. There is absolutley no reason to teach unsafe handing, particularly to those that are a danger to themselves and others.
To those who aspire to keep venomous:
You too must be selective about who you choose to teach you. And i am sure my little list will ruffle some feathers. I would disregard anyone as a "responsible keeper" and "mentor" IF:
1. they freehandle
2. they use habitually use regualr aquariums for hots
3. they do not have a sealed and locked "hot room"
4. they try to teach you tailing on the first day
5. they ever utter the words "Copperheads are not bad"
6. they pin any hot for a reason other than teaching the technique (which should be about amonth or more in my opinion)
7. they tell you pinning is the easiest way to do anything!
8. they put you within one body length of a snake (you ARE in strike range no matter what they say)
9. all the handling equipment is located in one place
10. they do ANY "Showing Off" or uneccessary handling
Hots are nothing to be trifled with. You may get away with certain practices for a while, but eventualy, you will get bit. And when it comes to venomous species, one mistake may be your last. In my opinion, there can be no halfway with hots. When you are around them, you are 100% safety or you have no business near them. I think that those who keep them that do have the respect for thier potential, should not have them. And I am sure that there are those would tell me I should not have
them for some reason. These are only my opinions, vocal and radical as they may be, they needed to be expressed. And I will not even get into the subject venomoids. But i feel that irresponsible keepers, both new and "experienced" are the greatest danger to themselves, others, and our hobby our passion - the most fascinating, captivating, and misunderstood creatures on our planet, venomous snakes.
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