|
1-10 of 29 messages
|
Page 1 of 3
Next
|
|
Is there such a thing as a "beginner" el
|
Reply
|
|
by Ouroboros on July 6, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I've had several years experience working with large pit vipers, but very little elapid experience. It is something I've seriously considered venturing into for the last few years, but am reticent to delve into something that could be potentially disastrous. How did you first start working with elapids? What species did you start with? Did you start with something relatively small such as Aspidelaps or Micrurus?
Are any of these worthy of consideration as "beginner" elapids?
Any reports you can give of their personality and temperment?
Naja siamensis (assuming one had a face shield at all times)
Naja pallida (ditto)
Dendroaspis angusticeps (reportedly a shy snake, but definitely not something to let your guard down with)
Any other suggestions?
Thank you for your advice!
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by TheBlackMamba on July 6, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
The first hot snake I ever owned was a monocle cobra. I went from owning pythons of different kinds straight to owning monocles. When I first got my snake he was fast and mean but as I took him out more frequently he calmed down a lot and became tame. Now when I take him out he doesn't even hood. I taught myself everything. The entire trick is to get really good handling fast snakes on a hook. Practice keeping a snake such as a black racer on a hook. Other then that as long as you have common sense and are level headed you should be fine. Just remember to spot the snake before you open the cage, open it with the hook if you can, and try to keep your distance. Once the snake becomes familiar with you they calm down a lot and elapids (especially cobras) are really smart snakes.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by wamartin67 on July 7, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
If you could find one the best elapid to start with would be a Naja annulata, IMHO anyway. They get good sized (my adult pair are close to 6'), they're slower and more deliberate moving, and have a good disposition. I can see why someone would think Aspidelaps or Micrurus but the reason I would disagree is both are so small that one would get little experience hooking with them. Unfortunately N. annulata are very hard to find.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by Carmai12 on July 7, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I first started with pit vipers, but as I obtained more experience; and did some research on cobras that would be easier to work with. I went with a Coral Cobra(Aspidelaps lubricus infuscatus). Now it is not a true Naja species ,but considering its less toxic venom and its short reach in striking I would consider it an easier snake to begin with after some experience with vipers.
Thanks
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by choppergreg74 on July 9, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
What I am about to say is strictly opinion, not men to offend. But I don't understand why people think there are beginner venomous snakes. Pit vipers can be way more difficult than many elapids. I have a 6 ft EDB that would give any monocle a run for its money, and a much greater striking distance with much more force behind it. I have found death adders easier and more predictable to work with than some pit vipers. Granted mambas, taipans , etc... are for very advanced keepers with specialized facilities. But to ask which elapids should I get first? Is an impossible question to answer. First off what type of facility will you be keeping it in, a Hot room, or the spare bedroom which functions as the snake room? How much space, equipment (trap boxes) etc. does one have. Also is someone getting an elapids just to get an elapid for the thrill (wrong reason) or because they are interested in a certain species. If you are interested in a certain species find out what you will need. Face shield, tongs, proper length hooks, shift cage, etc.. All the things the particular species you are interested in requires to work with safely. Then try and start off with a cb baby. This way you can get to know the snakes personality. I have 3 Rinkhals. One is a fire hose that sits on a hook and spits, one never spits and is a greased up lightning bolt, and the third one is calm as a kittin. My point is just because someones N. siamensis does not spit, does not mean the one you get won't. I'm sorry for the long post guys.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by wamartin67 on July 9, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Why do you think there aren't "beginner" venomous snakes? You completely contradict yourself in your post by starting off saying you don't know why people think that and then going on to state that your EDB can be a handful and that mambas and Australian elapids should be for advanced keepers. I take that as you wouldn't recommend those for someone looking to get into venomous. If someone you knew was looking to get started and had the opportunity to by either a copperhead or a saw scaled viper which would you recommend? I'm guessing the copperhead. You are 100% correct however regarding the misconception that somehow vipers are less hazardous to keep than elapids.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by choppergreg74 on July 9, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I do feel that certain snakes such as taipans, browns etc.. Are very questionable for anyone even advanced keepers. The reason for this is limited antivenom in the U.S. or requirements for those snakes. Its like the old saying. Just because I can does not mean I should. Also as far as beginning venomous snakes The most dangerous snake is the one you get bit by. Doesn't matter copperhead or sawscale viper. Its like asking whats more deadly a 22 or a 45 cal handgun? Which would you rather get shot with? Every persons body reacts different to venom. Also where you get bit plays a role also. And every snake has a different personality. My main point of the last post was.You can't ask what is a good starter elapid?One species I was lucky with may not be the same for you. With venomous snakes we need to be adaptable. The snake is not going to adapt to us. Like someone on this website said there is no venomous snake with training wheels. People need to go out and get a mentor or venomous training husbandry before they get an elapid or pit viper. This is not grade school where we graduate from pit vipers to elapids . Sorry once again to go on and on. So since I have my bachelors in pit vipers Ill go for my masters in elapids.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by Ouroboros on July 9, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Good point, which family the snake belongs to shouldn't matter as much as each snake's individual personality. I guess the unfamiliar just seems more treacherous than what I am used to, perhaps requiring different techniques of handling? In any case, regardless of species, I realize one needs to be cautious.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by wamartin67 on July 9, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
No difference between a copperhead and a saw scaled viper? Really?? Or a Russell's viper? Email Jim Harrison (someone who has plenty of experience with being bitten) and ask him about his B. atrox bite and if he feels that there's no difference between it and a copperhead bite. How about checking US snakebite data and seeing how many people have ever died from a copperhead bite.
|
| |
|
RE: Is there such a thing as a "beginner"
|
Reply
|
|
by choppergreg74 on July 9, 2013
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
We were not talking about what a bite feels like. I know one person in our venomous community that wa bitten by a png death adder, lucky it was dry and no treatment was needed. I know someone else who was bitten by a voglei which is similar to a popes pit viper. He was given improper treatment by doctors.He has no finger. (All names will remain anonymous ). Yes drop for drop the death adders venom is much more deadly. But given the situation one person was luckier than the other. If given a choice would you rather be lucky or really good at what you do? I'd rather be lucky. One could be a professional at anything and have a streak of bad luck. Skydiving instructors are a prime example.
First find out which venomous snakes interest you most. Then see what kind of facility do you have. Is it escape proof. Do other people live with you, can they come into contact with your snakes. Are they locked in a separate building or room. If I get bit am I prepared. Who will have to take care of my snakes and can they??? I have 14 years of venomous experience. And there are some snakes I will never own as much as I like them or think I can handle them. Not only for my sake but for others around me and our own venomous community. Good luck with whatever choice you make on a first elapid.
|
| |
|
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.
|
