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Am I ready?
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by copperheadkid15 on May 17, 2004
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I am 16 and I have done venomous snake removal for two years now and have loved snake as long as I can remember. I never touch hot snakes I use hooks and gentle giant tongs, I have kept northern waters for a year and have had a professional show me how to handle hots. I have made an escape proof cage in an escape proof building behind my house.
I want to keep a hot for when I do snake demos. (along with the fact that I love hots!) I am looking at getting a southern copperhead. I have talked to my parents and fellow herping friends and they believe I am responsible to keep a hot. I only want to keep one for now.
I am asking your opinion on this matter. Also don’t sugar coat your words if you want to say I’m stupid say it.
Randy
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RE: Am I ready?
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by Fabian on May 17, 2004
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My friend I would say you are ready for your first copperhead.
I for one can say I think you have taken all the right steps to ready yourself for your first hot.
Good luck with your copper..
Fabian
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RE: Am I ready?
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by taipan_nuts on May 17, 2004
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First, I would like to say that I admire your courage. This can be a tough crowd sometimes. You sound like you have put a great deal of thought into this. You seem intelligent, mature, and passionate. You have a great start. The one concern I have is that you didn't mention your snakebite protocol in the event of an unfortunate mishap. This will be easy to remedy. Due to their hardy nature and low toxicity, Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix ssp.) make a fine first hot for many. Spend time learning from your mentor, read/participate in forum discussion, use your handling equipment everytime (don't cut corners), and remember to enjoy yourself.
Again, I admire your method of soliciting feedback. I wish everyone started this way. I did. Try to remember to be patient, and don't rush yourself into anything. This hobby is addictive, and one often finds themselves wanting to pursue the hotter and badder species with every order. If only all new interests were a sharp a knife as you. There's only one dull knife in the cutlery set here.
I always tell my students, "Preparation + Opportunity = Success".
Dr. Edward J. Freyaldenhoven
University of Texas/Biological Sciences
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RE: Am I ready?
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by wcoley on May 17, 2004
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It sounds like you are genuinely interested in hots. It's great that you have taken your time and tried to do the right things in preparing for your first snake. Only time will tell how it works out.
Good Luck.
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RE: Am I ready?
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by Phobos on May 17, 2004
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Sure sounds like you're ready. I was about your age when I started. I agree with Taipan_nuts having a snakebite protocol is also a very important step.
Good luck and be safe,
Al
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Candor
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by Buzztail1 on May 17, 2004
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Randy,
You have maintained a really good attitude here since you first came and asked about keeping hots. I commend you for that.
I got my first Copperhead when I was 16 and took it away to college with me right after I turned 17. She surprised me with a bunch of babies that Fall. I even wrote an article about her for the newsletter which should still be available on this site under the name "A lesson in handling" (or something like that). I know that my parents weren't ready for me to be keeping venomous snakes but they also knew that there was no-one near us who had studied them as extensively as I had before I ever got my first venomous. So, I won't say that they approved so much as they were tolerant. Perhaps one of the issues they didn't really have to worry about was medical attention. My dad was active duty military and at that time (almost 30 years ago), dependants were 100% covered for medical issues (not so, anymore).
The point of my little rambling is that no-one here can really tell you that you are ready. No-one here is going to the hospital with you or will offer to pick up the tab for medical expenses if you find that you really weren't ready. Since you are legally still a minor, those responsibilities rest with your parents. They are the only ones that have to gamble with whether or not you are ready.
I am glad that things like Volume II of The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere by Campbell & Lamar weren't available when my own parents were making that decision! They would still be trying to prevent me from keeping!
All in all, Copperheads are great snakes to start out with. While it is very true that their venom is mild and the chance of death is slim at best, the statistics don't show you how many people throughout their range are missing fingers and toes due to tissue damage from a nonlethal bite. BE CAREFUL regardless of how innocuous people say they are. I recommend a well started juvenile as neonates can sometimes be difficult starters.
Good luck with your parents. Keep us informed of your progress.
Karl H. Betz
Buzztail1@hotmail.com
PS My first snakeproof cages (my father's designs to keep his household safe) were tested on a very fat garter snake which promptly filled our house with 61 babies (found in every room in the house). Safe caging cannot be overstressed. KHB
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RE: Candor
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by elapidking81 on May 18, 2004
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good luck i think your a very responsable even more so than some of the older herpers but buzztail was right you are a minor so i would really sit down and go over all the details with your parents and if there ready and you i feel definatly are go for it and have fun and BE SAFE.
shane
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RE: Am I ready?
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by 91C2 on May 18, 2004
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An interesting question followed by a bunch of answers, none of which are degrading. I love to read posts like this.
For the question at hand: I agree with Buzztail entirely. Thats not to say I disagree with anyone else, but Buzz's answer is by far the best.
No one else can make the call, but you. Your parents will have to accept any medical responsibility should the worse happen, but considering your time invested and dire search of answers and info are of a very mature nature, I willing to gamble that you will not require emergency medical assistance.
Had you not given your age, I would have given you many more years beyond your youth.
Someone else said it first, and I agree, you have shown alot of courage asking this group such a question. The fact that no one flamed you shows alot of respect for you. Consider that.
As a parent, I can say if you were my child, I would fully support your endeavor.
Good luck, my friend. You'll do well.
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RE: Am I ready?
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by copperheadkid15 on May 18, 2004
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Thanks to every one, over the last years that I have done snake removal, up to now you have helped me so much!
Ps I will keep yall posted.
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RE: Am I ready?
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by GREGLONGHURST on May 18, 2004
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It sounds to me that you are ready, however one question has neither been asked nor answered: Is it legal for a minor to possess a venomous snake in your state? If you're in Florida, the answer is no. Are permits or licenses required in your state?
~~Greg~~
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