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by 843Wilson on October 19, 2007
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I have been handling/keeping snakes since i could remember, probably five or six. i am now twenty years old and still in love with snakes. I know most there is to know about southeastern species, so i'm not "ignorant" to what snakes are capable of and how you need to care for them. recently i have been talking to a few pet shop friends about how i would like to get a hot, now when i was younger i did capture a juvenile copperhead and kept him for a few days (before the mother flipped out) but other than that i have kept to nonvenomous species. my question would be, what would be a good hot to begin with?
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RE: hots
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by Cro on October 19, 2007
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Jordan, the first thing to do is fill out the rest of your profile here.
Then read the "FAQ" section in the black box to the left of this screen.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: hots
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by Peter84Jenkins on October 19, 2007
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There is not “beginner” hots like there are beginner plastic models, archery equipment, games and such. You will find many discussions on this topic through searching the ask the experts forum many of which harbor excellent advice.
In my opinion you need to asses yourself more than you do the snakes you want…ask yourself if you’re really ready to take on the challenge and responsibility of hot keeping.
You could be one of the most knowledgeable keepers here and yet when your forest cobra or five foot EDB show there true colors it could have you quaking in your shoes. Don’t judge the skill level of snakes by LD50 either because those are simply basic numbers. The LD50 could tell you that a canebrake is around 160-180 Micrograms subcutaneous but if you read on..it’s much much lower if the fang hits a vein. Also, this may or may not cover a population of canebrakes (coastal Carolina and Georgia) known for their Mojave like venom a combo of neurotoxins, cytotoxins, and myotoxins. (im sure there is more im not listing) The size of a snake might make them easier to house and handle but it says nothing of venom comp look at sawscale vipers and coral snakes.
Any way just asses yourself ask a variety of keepers what they started with. Mine was a northern copperhead. Just don’t get the “its only a copperhead” mindset and start reaching in for water bowls or free handling. Be safe and continue to educate yourself and others.
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RE: hots
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by Cro on October 19, 2007
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Jordan, thanks for taking the time to fill out your profile.
It is good to hear that you have worked with a mentor in learning how to work with venomous snakes.
You have said that you like the Agkistrodon snakes, and it is important to work with snakes that you like, as you do not want to have an animal that you get tired of, and then do not know what to do with it.
A Copperhead or Cottonmouth would be a very good venomous snake to start out with. Also, something like a Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake can be a lot of fun to keep also. Do not buy new born snakes, as they are often difficult to get feeding. Try to find a young adult snake that was captive born, and is a established feeder, if at all possible. Wild caught snakes often have parasites, and that would just be one more headache for a new venomous keeper to have to deal with.
The Columbia Reptile Show coming up next month in November would be a great place for you to attend. Several of the vendors there should have some very nice snakes for sale that would be great for you to start out with.
Another thing that is a must, is that once you make the jump to keeping venomous snakes, you have to have absolutely secure caging for the animal. Things like aquariums with screen lids with bricks on them or tape will no longer work. You will need a secure home made cage, or a critter cage, or one of the other commercial cages. And you should keep that cage in a locked and excape proof snake room if at all possible.
Any mistakes you make once you start keeping venomous reptiles will not only hurt your reputation, but will hurt the venomous hobby as a whole.
Let us know what animal you decide to start out with. Take your time, and do not be in any hurry to keep exotic venomous snakes. Learning with a native venomous snake is a far safer and better way to go.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: hots
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by 843Wilson on October 19, 2007
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thank you, your advice is very well noted. i will be attending the reptile show in Columbia that Sunday. you don't understand how much this advice really means to me, i was actually nervous to post due to the incredible amount of prejudice on beginning hot keepers. once again thank you
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