|
1-10 of 13 messages
|
Page 1 of 2
Next
|
|
First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by chrisreid43 on March 19, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I'm new to hots and I was wondering is a copperhead the way to go? Let me know what you guys think, what your first was, and how old you were. I'm not asking this for you guys to tell me I'm only 16(i know) and I'm just another impacient irresponsible kid. Thanks for the help ahead of time.
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on March 19, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Chris,
You should type "first hot" into the Experts Search here and read what others have said on this topic a thousand times before.
But, yes, a Copperhead is a good first venomous snake. If you make a mistake and get bitten, it will probably not kill you, but could still cost you and your parents many thousands of dollars in hospital bills, and you could loose a finger or thumb.
Keeping any venomous snake requires that you have the maturity and attention to detail that is needed.
You must absolutly have excape proof caging. This will protect you and your family--not only from the snake getting out and biting one of you, but also from being sued by neighbors when the snake gets out and bits a neighbors kid. The cage needs to be locking, and preferably in a locked snake proof room. Keeping a copperhead in a screen topped cage with bricks on top just will not work ! Expect to spend $100.00 on buying a suitable cage, or build one yourself for half that.
You will also need the permission of your parents. You are putting them in grave potential danger.If you screw up and get bitten, it is your parents that will be charged with child endangerment and potentially get arrested, for allowing you to keep a venomous snake.
We know nothing here about your experience level with snakes, or maturity, or responsibility or training in how to work with venomous snakes. There are 12 year olds who are mature and skilled enough to keep venomous snakes, and there are 25 year olds, and even 45 year olds, who should never keep venomous snakes.
Mentoring is a very important thing, as an experienced venomous snake handler can show you things in one afternoon that would take you years of trial and error to learn. Do you have someone to show you how to work with venomous snakes ? Having worked with non venomous snakes is not good enough.
If you think that you can provide secure caging, and if you have your parents permission, and if you are mature enough to not show off with the snake to impress your friends, then you might be able to be a safe keeper of venomous snakes. And a Copperhead would be a great way to start !
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by chrisreid43 on March 19, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Thanks for the input. I've been looking for some other hot keepers around here so I can work with them and learn. If there are any keepers or herpers around mid NC just let me know. I really want to gain some knowledge and experience. About the hottest thing I have handled is a venomoid albino monocle cobra lol. I don't want to keep venomous snakes so I can show them off to my buddies, reptiles and all other animals are my passion.
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on March 19, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Chris, you are doing the right thing. I am really serious that an experienced mentor can show you things in a short time that would take years of experience to learn.
Why start from scratch if you can start from way advanced ?
Hopefully, one of the many NC members here will contact you and offer some help. If you do not hear from anyone, let us know, and we will see what we can do to help.
If you wind up keeping venomous without instruction, then contact someone like me, or one of the other site managers on EMail, and see if we can offer help in your situation.
Good Luck on keeping venomous. Hopefully your parents will approve of it. Send me an EMail if you want at jzegel@mindspring.com if you want to know more about the proper caging of venomous snakes. I will try to help if I can.
Best Regards JohnZ
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by SCatheris on March 20, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I'm really on the same boat as him (except for that I'm 17) I'd keep a copperhead if I could. Caging wouldn;t be a problem since I recently got a nice neodesha for 30 bucks. Bbbbuuuttttt my parents won't let me sooo I have to wait. I mean if I come across them I'll keep em for like a week then release them in a better spot away from houses. Since I basically live in the boondocks finding spots to release em is easy.
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on March 20, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Yep, parents can be an major obstacle to a teen wanting to keep a venomous snake.
You need to do your best to convince them that you are responsible enough, and that the caging for the snake is bomb proof, LOL !
If you forget to do things like chores around the house, that makes you look irresponsible, and will not help your case.
What parents do not realise is the depth of your interest in reptiles, and they hope it is a fad that you will tire of eventually.
Some parents will allow teens to keep venomous snakes at age 14, although 17 seems more of the magic age for most folks. I was keeping copperheads at age 12, but had a locking room in the basement, and locking cages, and the parents basically did not know what I was keeping. They had no intention of going into the snake room to look around, as they did not like snakes. I do not reccomend that plan of action though, as you might wind up not being allowed to keep any snakes at all.
Although it seems like going off to College where you would probably have the freedom to keep a venomous snake is eons away, it will get there a lot quicker than you think.
In the mean time, you can still find ways to work with venomous snakes and improve your skills at quite a few nature centers, zoos, museums, and venomous pet stores. There are great mentoring opportunities for you at places like that. And even if you are not paid, and just a volunteer, the skills you learn there will be invaluable.
Best of luck to all you frustrated young herpers on your quest !
Best Regards JohnZ
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by yoyoing on March 21, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
John,
I have to compliment you on the way you handled this question. The old "first hot" question is quite time worn but yours was the first compassionate answer I have ever seen. Well done, and I hope we all learn to welcome the young newcomers to the hobby.
Jim
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by hapkidocrochunter on March 21, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Yes you did handle this question very well and very politely.
I have a question for you John based on what you said to the kid who asked this question. I have found a mentor from one of the local herp associations here in AZ. But with regards to the zoo and getting mentored through them, is that common? I would like to do that as well, but am kind of unsure of how to get it started. I have emailed the zoo a couple of times, not to get mentored, but just to ask questions, and i never get any responses. I am 24 yrs old, and i don't want to come across like someone who is annoying and won't stop asking them questions. Any advice would be appreciated.
This isnt because I don't like my mentor, I do. He is a very cool and patient guy who is showing me alot. I just want to expand my knowledge of hot keeping as much as possible. There might be things someone else can show me that he hasn't done, and in turn i can teach him some new techniques as well. Thanks again for your advice.
matt
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on March 21, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Matt, it really depends on the individual zoo and the attitude of its management. Each will be different.
Some zoos are understaffed, and welcome folks who want to voulenteer, and will often train them to help work with then animals. Other zoos want nothing to do with that.
The best way to find out it to probably visit the zoo, and get to know the Curators and Senior Keepers there, and even the Zoo Director. You should at least make some new friends / contacts that way, and if you are lucky, your zoo might be one of the ones that appreciates the help of folks who want to voulenteer to help.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
|
| |
|
RE: First HOT
|
Reply
|
|
by AquaHerp on March 21, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Indeed, it will vary from zoo to zoo. As well, many times the e-mails may be filtered and not even reach the appropriate department.
DH
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
