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anyone else have this problem?
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by Venomjunkie on July 12, 2006
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as you guys might know already, im 15 years old and some species of venomous snakes are my favorite species of all. i want to own a few of my favorite venomous species someday, but i dont want to have a lot (10+) of venomous snakes, nor breed them. i just want to keep one individual from a few select species that im really interested in.
now, onto the dilemma. the species i hope to keep someday are not usually considered "beginner" hots. a few examples are WDBs, gaboons and monocleds. i will most likely start with a copper, but i actually wouldnt mind keeping a copper, unlike most, who see them as the "first step" and not a desired species. however, everything else i would like to keep is pretty hot. i hate the idea of getting a species you dont truly love and use it as a stepping stone to more advanced species.
so what exactly should i do? should i get species to use as stepping stones (which i would hate to do) or should i take a chance on getting something potentially lethal after the copper? sorry if this question is a bit odd to some of you lol.
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RE: anyone else have this problem?
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by LarryDFishel on July 12, 2006
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Not an odd question at all. It just shows that you're thinking things through, and it can be a bit of a dilema... I do think it's best to work with as many "less dangerous" snakes as possible before moving up and there are a couple of ways of doing that:
1) (The best answer) If at all possible, when you're ready to get started, find someone reasonably close to you who keeps hots and will be willing to teach you and let you work with theirs for a while. Most likely no one will let you do that until you're at least 18, but trust me, if you're serious, you'll find plenty to study and keep you busy for a couple of years. This is BY FAR the best way to go and then you don't have to get anything you don't plan to keep.
2) Work on making contact with others in your general area who also want to get started. Someone who's a year or so behind you might be interested in taking on your "starters" when you're ready to move on.
3) The truth is, the more you learn and start to work with hots the more you'll forget about #2 because you'll realize that just because you've got a taipan doesn't make a copper any less fascinating. (I've got a pygmy and 5 cottonmouths in the snake room with my green mamba a forest cobras.)
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RE: anyone else have this problem?
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by plainblain on July 13, 2006
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It is so nice and refreshing when a young man states right up front he is younger and interested in hots and strungling with decisions.
If you had not done that, I would not be responding.
I think that if you are going to collect, you should collect snakes that you like. Whether it be thier pattern, girth, hottness, behavior or size, if you like them, then you should work toward them.
If what you like happens to be at the extreme end of the scale for dangerious snakes, then I would recommand easing into them with lesser species.
When you are going through life and fiquring out what you are going to do, often you have to decide "how much time" am I willing to spent on learning what I have to know to be ggod at it. I only collect Copperheads because I really like them, but I don't want to spend the time to learn how to deal with hotter snakes because although I like them, I don't like them enough to spent the time to learn how to handle them or care for them. That spare time that I have, I would rather pratice my guitar or 5-string banjo.
I have had WDB's and Corals and such. After 48 hrs. I don't feel comfortable with them and simply send them on thier way.
When I starting playing 40 yrs. ago, my instument was entry level with such a bad action no one could hardly play it. As I progessed the instruments got better and more expensive. My quitar now is a Martin D-35 (1967). Vintage and premo.
So if you want some really bad ass snakes, you should "pay your dues" and learn on some not so bad ass snakes. Although you do not like collecting them for what-ever reason, thier value to you will be bringing you up to speed on the more difficult hots.
Some of the people that post on this form and the other one are the best of the best. You know who they are. When you are real with them they will be very real with you. So you are off to a very good start.
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by Phobos on July 13, 2006
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Dylan:
Larry outlined the best way to do it right. Get someone to mentor you, so you can learn and gain experience till you are of legal age to keep on your own. I see one problem though, this can be a very addictive hobby. I bet you can't just keep 10+.
Good Luck,
Al
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by nnw1 on July 13, 2006
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i have kept snake for 20 years i started with boas and burms for 10 years or more before starting with hots and had many mess up and go bit when i was younger but it is easyer to learn if you can live though it now i have wdbs cotton mouths copperheads naja kaouthia monacle. If you get hit with one of these they might not kill you but the pain will make you wish you where dead or they just might kill you with the wrong circomstances.
There is no rush so take your time and get lots of partice with non venomous for your sake and you fiends and familys sake.
sorry about my spelling never was to good at it
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by Cro on July 13, 2006
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Dylan, As Larry and Al have allready stated, the most important thing you can do is to work with a mentor who is experienced with the snakes you want to keep.
There are handling and husbandry techniques that someone like that can show you that you will never learn from books or online. Many experienced keepers are willing to teach you, especially if you are willing to help clean cages, wash water bowls, and help feed their collections.
All venomous snakes should be treated with the same level of respect. You should be just as carefull and serious about working with a copperhead or pygmy rattlesnake, as you are with a cobra or large WDB rattlesnake.
Best Regards JohhZ
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RE: anyone else have this problem?
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by Venomjunkie on July 13, 2006
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thanks for the replies everyone! as of now, i only know of one guy near me that keeps hots and the only thing he has thats on my "wish list" are monocleds. i havent yet asked him to mentor me, but plan to do so soon. i dont want to jump right into keeping hots. i realize what these snakes can do to a human, and i want to do everything i can to prevent that from happening.
i said that i didnt want to keep more than 10 hots because obviously the more hots you have, the greater the chance is that youre going to get bit. if im going to risk my life to keep these snakes, im only going keep species that are my all time favorites. i dont want to risk my life for a species that i find "kind of interesting".
also please keep in mind that im most likely not going to get any hots for at least 5 years. im trying my best to get what info i can off the internet now. thanks again for all the replies!
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RE: anyone else have this problem?
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by timberrattlesnake89 on July 14, 2006
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Al,
Last time I checked there is no such thing as a legal age to keep venomous snakes. I have never seen an actual law that says no one under the age of 18 is able to keep venomous reptiles.
I do beleive that he should get mentorship. I do agree with everything else everyone has said. I personally know my limits and have no problem keeping native venomous snakes.
I know I could keep exotics but I do not want to. I personally know I could keep a cobra or a gaboon viper. I just choose not too since I do not feel it is safe for two reasons. One reason is that most hospitals do not have anti-venin and also it is illegal in my state.
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by LarryDFishel on July 14, 2006
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It depends on where you live Phillip.
I'm not sure about Pennsylvania, and finding info about the exotic permits in GA is about as easy as getting a forest cobra to ride a hook.
Here in Florida, the "law" (the state statutes) don't say anything about a minimum age, but it says you need a permit and gives FWC power to set the rules for the permit. FWC regulations say you have to be 18 to get the permit. Therefore it's illegal to possess them until you're 18. (I'm pretty sure you can work with a mentor if they are willing, you just can't keep them yourself.)
I think you'll find that this is pretty common in the states that have permit systems (the ones you can actually find info on).
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RE: anyone else have this problem?
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by biff on July 15, 2006
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In PA, and probably in any state, there are many statutes that could and would be used against a buyer's parents, and the seller to a minor (under the age of 18 in PA). These are criminal statutes I'm thinking of, and I'm sure the seller could/would be in a world of civil trouble, if trouble arose.
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