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beginner
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by Preston on November 10, 2001
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i would like to get into collecting venomous snakes.i ahve collected many types of constrictors and have been catching cotton mouths and e. rattle snakes since 94 jus messing around on my land and creeks and what not so i ahve some experience handling them.but i need to know what i need to know to have a safe ebviroment for me and my snakes and whats a good snake to start w/ and all that jus the jist of how to get into collecting venomous snakes.
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Beginner venomous
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by Buzztail1 on November 11, 2001
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Preston,
there is no-one here who can accurately judge what kind of venomous reptile will be the best venomous for you to start with. Only you can judge that. I can make the following recommendation based on the way my life has gone.
Read everything that you can get your hands on (visit libraries, friends who keep venomous, websites, etc) on a species that interests you. It does not make sense to start with a species that you are not interested in just because someone tells you that they are easy to keep. Once you have gained enough "book knowledge" that you feel you "know" the snake in question, see if you can find someone in your area that keeps them. Most venomous keepers are somewhat proud of their accomplishments (whatever they might be) and some will be willing to take you under their tutelage. Learn what you can. Eventually, you will not feel the need to ask anyone whether or not they think that you would be able to safely care for a venomous reptile...you will KNOW what you need to do and how to take care of it. After 12 solid years of "book-learning" and hard study, I picked up my first two venomous snakes (found side-by-side) - a Southern Copperhead and a Canebrake Rattlesnake. One of those seasoned veteran keepers that would not help me or speak to me prior to my finding those two snakes, traded me a neonate Canebrake for the adult (which was too big for me to be keeping at the time) and the Copperhead delivered eleven babies in my cage. Were those good snakes for me to start with? Most folks would say "NO!" to the Canebrake and "Maybe" to the Copperhead. But, it worked out for me because I was completely prepared (with the exception of having my own antivenin) for whatever I might have to deal with. I believe that no matter what your age or experience level, three things make the bottom line.
1. SAFETY...never shortcut or dismiss a safety issue. That will get you bit.
2. There is no such thing as a "starter snake." Once you have it, it is a life that you are responsible for - not one for you to throw away or trade up.
3. There is no substitute for prior study. To this day (I've been keeping venomous for 25 years), if I am going to acquire a new type of animal or even one that I have not kept in a while, I break out the books and learn or relearn everything I can to ensure its and my safety and comfort.
Good Luck with your decision.
Karl H. Betz
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RE: Beginner venomous
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by Preston on November 11, 2001
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thanks alot,im intersted in copper haeds and pygmy rattlers ive caught pygmy,s many of times and i know there a very bad timpered snake, but for the copper head what are they like?
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