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First Venomous Snake?
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by Omega on December 23, 2002
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Hi,
I don't know if I can post it over here but I give it a try.
I have more than 8 years of intense experience with a wide range of snake species(al non-venomous) and I think that I'm ready to keep a venomous species. 'Ready' means within a year or 2-3 so that I could learn everything about keeping them, handeling them, etc... My question was: are there any good website's (except from this one) about keeping, handeling, .... venomous snakes? Or other media like books, ebooks, movies, ...
p.s.(the preferred venomous snake that I want to buy is an Atheris, if you think this snake isn't suitable for a the first venomous snake than mayby you can suggest a species that is suitable for a beginner)
Thnx
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RE: First Venomous Snake?
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by TomT on December 23, 2002
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I'm a firm believer that you should prepare for the kind of snakes you want to keep, not get the kind(s) of snakes that others think you should keep.
If you like the bush vipers, then I'd recommend finding out how to keep them and then working with someone who keeps the species (or similar species) that you want, in order to gain working experience.
Your mentor will know when you're ready, so you won't have to guess...
The reason I don't recommend getting a copperhead or something else (particularly in your case), is that you don't WANT a copperhead... so what incentive is there to keep your interest and enthusiasm? Once you've "trained" on the copperhead and you "move on" to the real species you wanted in the beginning, what happens to the copperhead?
I also do not generally recommend keeping substitute non-venomous as training aids to prepare someone for the "real thing." What penalty is there for getting bit by your Emerald Tree Boa?? Right, it hurts like he11, and it bleeds a lot, but you won't have to worry about losing control of your bowels, loss of a digit or a limb, or worse yet, death if you screw up.... So the penalty for making a mistake is nothing, and I think it helps to develope bad habits.....instead of the theoretical opposite it is supposed to ensure....
Make a decision about the species you want, train with a mentor or do as you suggest by learning everything you can, and then buy the animals you WANT when you're ready. If I can be so bold as to STRONGLY recommend buying captive bred animals.... it will save you from having to medicate sick imports.... and it will be a much more enjoyable experience for you and the snakes.
Feel free to write me if there's anything I can do to help...
Sincerely,
Tom Townsend
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RE: First Venomous Snake?
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by Omega on December 23, 2002
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Thnx for replying, it was very interesting to read!
As always read that you should get as much information, about the species that you want to keep, as possible... Are there any books/website's or other media that could help me, feel free to post them...cuz I really want to learn, learn more, and more and more about keeping those animals before I take the final step...
thnx in advance
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RE: First Venomous Snake?
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by Buzztail1 on December 23, 2002
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I, too, am not comfortable with the concept of "beginner snakes." I agree with Tom that you should learn everything that you can about the particular kind of snake that you want to get. If you check out the Navigation Bar to the left, you will see the line "Articles."
At that group of pages are several articles regarding Atheris and other Tree Vipers. Feel free to use these articles in your search for information.
Here is the "address" to one of the articles:
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/17
Good Luck,
Karl H. Betz
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RE: First Venomous Snake?
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by Omega on December 23, 2002
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Thnx Buzztail1 !!!
...other articles about Atheris species are also welcome...
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RE: First Venomous Snake?
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by dom on December 26, 2002
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hello!
look at this:http://www.geocities.com/lflank/venom.html
http://members.tripod.com/~MsTT/handling.html#disclaimer
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