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My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by lisa1960 on January 11, 2007
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My son is 16 (he'll be 17 in a couple months) and I have allowed him to keep a couple venomous ssp. which consists of A. c. laticinctus and A. p. leucostoma. He has been very successful with both ssp. and uses extreme caution. He has never even had a close call. I tell ya, this kid has a way with snakes. His A. p. leucostoma (he has a breeding trio) will strike at any and all movement unless its him (they wont even open their mouths, hiss or even rattle their tails at him, you know it kinda makes me jelous that he has this way with snakes). And the thing I really like about all this is he don't let this go to his head. He is probably the most cautious "Hot" keeper I have ever seen/met and he hasn't slacked off at all. He understands this is a dangerous hobby/job and he takes absolutely no chances (I'm so proud of him lol) He is wanting to aquire a new addition to his collection. I told him he is more then welcome to get any non-venomous he wants but there is certain venomous I wont let him even get near right now and if we do agree on a venomous snake it has to be a baby so he can learn the snakes personality and learn how the snake will act before it gets too big Anyways he is wanting to aquire either a Crotalus atrox or Crotalus viridis. I told him I don't know about that. I feel confident in his ability to keep either ssp. without a problem (if you have seen him at wrk you would too, I guarantee it). I have kept both ssp. and he has had a tiny bit of experience with both. While we were talking about this subject he had a pretty decent point (or at least I thought so) He brought up that the local hospitals have ample amount of antivenom for both ssp. Over the past yr we have had quite an out break of both ssp. locally so area hospitals have invested and have aquired quite a bit of antivenom due to this out break. Now to my question, What would you guys do? Would you allow him to attempt either a C. atrox or C. viridis? I feel he has the ability to care for both safely but I would like to hear your comments on the subject. Thank-you. Lisa1960
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by Cro on January 11, 2007
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Lisa,
The only problem with the Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake and the Prairie Rattlesnakes is that they both grow quickly, and will be quite large in just a few short years. Both do well in captivity. Both snakes carry a large supply of venom. Are you going to care for them when your son goes off to college?
Does your son have any interest in the smaller rattlesnakes like Pygmy Rattlesnakes, Rock Rattlesnakes, Massasauga Rattlesnakes, and Side Winder Rattlesnakes? These smaller rattlesnakes are a lot of fun to keep, and very long lived, and they do not get 5 feet long in three or four years. Because of their small size, they do not carry a very large supply of venom, thus making a bite from one of them possibly less dangerous than a bite from a large WDB.
They are also readily available at reptile shows.
You might want to look into these smaller rattlesnakes.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by lisa1960 on January 11, 2007
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My son is planning on going to West Tx A&M University and get a degree in herpetology. The school is about 10-15 min. from our house and they do not require freshman to stay in dorms so he will more then likely be staying home with me for at least his first yr so he will have full responsiblity of the snake. I have talked to him about getting Pygmy's and Massy's. He said he would take them but there was just something about the wdb's and prairies that he liked. I keep wdb's and I have allowed my son to wrk with them a little bit while I was there with him and he has always done good with them. So I don't know, he has done endless research on wdb's and prairies but hasn't done so much on Pygmy's or Massy's. Lisa1960
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by sarecho7280 on January 11, 2007
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if you're comfortable with him keeping an atrox or viridis, then what does anyone else's opinion really matter?
if you have 30 years experience, then you probably know more than most people here. you also know your son the best. no one can tell you something that you don't know and if he really wants one of the two, then i doubt he'll be happy in settling at the age of 17. if he is capable, then what's the issue?
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by Cro on January 11, 2007
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Lisa, it sounds like your son is qualified to keep a Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake or Prairie Rattlesnakes safely.
People should keep an animal they have a strong interest in.
If he starts with a young animal, that will give him a good chance to learn about its habits over time.
And living in Texas, it makes a lot of sense that he would want to keep an WDB.
It should be a great learning experience.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by GREGLONGHURST on January 11, 2007
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I have to agree. Your son should do fine. He obviously has a helluva mentor.
Let this be said: This is the first time I have ever on this or any other board agreed that a minor should get a venomous snake. This may be the only exception I make.
~~Greg~~
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by lisa1960 on January 11, 2007
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Thanks for all your views and opinions. I do feel he is qualified to keep WDB's but the mother side of me just got a little nervous when he asked because this is a dangerous animal and my baby boy's (don't let him know I said that) life could be gone with even the slightest mistake. And I just wanted to see everyones views on the subject. He has been keeping venomous for about a yr and has never even came close to having a close encounter. He has all the proper tools, 48" Snake tongs(he don't really like using them but does if he needs too)48" Snake Hook along with a couple smaller ones, he builds the cages himself and all, (I'm proud can't you tell? lol) One thing that makes me feel a little at ease is the hospitals here have plenty of CroFab and Dr.'s that are experienced in treating wdb bites. Thanks again to all of your views and opinions. Lisa1960.
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by Rob_Carmichael on January 11, 2007
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I agree with Greg, I have never recommended a venomous snake to a minor but this may be an exception (and may be the last and only:-)...it's obvious you have taught your son safety and you have some knowledge and experience working with hots; that's very important for a young boy (or girl) to have a mentor and what better mentor can there be than your own mother. That's great that your son wants to continue his studies in biology/herpetology. Tell your son to open a profile and introduce himself.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by GREGLONGHURST on January 11, 2007
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One more thing..about Cro-Fab...it is d**ed expensive, & it takes more to neutralize venom than the old Wyeth did.
Supporters of the stuff may disagree..but those two gripes about it are not opinion..they are facts.
May neither you nor your son ever need the stuff.
~~Greg~~
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RE: My son wants a new snake, but what to get?
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by Caleb1990 on January 11, 2007
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I am Lisa1960's son. Thanks for the info on CroFab. We will definantly keep this in mind. We hope to never need antivenom but in this hobby things happen beyond your control no matter how careful you are. (I think we all know that, if you think you will never get bit you need to reconsider keeping venomous reptiles and move to something safer) And because of that fact we like to know where the antivenom is and where to get it incase the hospital don't have it or has a shortage of it. Thanks again for the info, Caleb.
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