Venomous Snakes

[Chu'Wuti]

Yes, we did keep hots for about 1.5 years. I wouldn't recommend it without training. People can easily develop a false sense of security if everything seems to go smoothly and become less cautious over time.

Sorry to jump in late; just catching up. 'Nuff said.

[Vivweaver]

What are 'Hots'? And does the whiskey do anything except drown the pain that you're slowly dying? If so, then it would make sence why my ancestors were so good at making moon shine in Kentucky!

[Chu'Wuti]

Hots are venomous snakes.

Currently I keep only nonvenomous, but they can bite, too, you know! Whiskey is appropriate for snakebite of any kind!

Now one could pour the whiskey on the bite wound--but why waste good whiskey that way?

[Vivweaver]

I agree! I came across this site a while ago, and they sell Hots of every species:

Glades Herp Farms

[beckdg]

great link viv... the irony though. that's exactly what's wrong with florida. perfect climate except during the storms that let all the critters out of places like that one. it is unfortunate that it may affect the rest of the country. don't get me wrong i'd still probably buy from them. pics would be nice though.

[momerath]

Curious I missed this thread before...

Beck pretty much outlined the steps I would consider necessary to follow before keeping hot snakes.

I'd have to disagree a bit with this though:

Originally Posted by beckdg

also keep in mind non-venomous snakes are much more likely to strike. venomous species are much more laid back usually and that can breed a false sense of security. once you're struck you're struck though.

I work with a lot of rattlesnakes, and while its true they are pretty laid back for a venomous snake, their personalities can vary as much as anything else! I've seen rattlers so laid back you're tempted to just grab them like you would any other snake (Keep in mind I ALWAYS use hooks, tongs and tubes to safely handle these snakes!). Then I've known others who are so pissy they strike the glass if they even sense you in the room! It's really amazing to see venom dripping down the front of a vision cage, and terrifying the first time one tries to come at you through the glass! We had one diamondback that was such a difficult punk that we sent him off to a different institution.

The problem with hot snakes then is that you never know when they will decide to strike, and one strike to is all it takes! I love working with 'em, but I'm not sure I'd ever be comfortable with them in my home. Good luck to those that do though, and by all means be cautious to the extreme!

[Vivweaver]

Albino Cobra

Ohilander Opossum

Sinai Desert Cobra

Vipera a. gregorwallneri

Chaerilus Celebensis

Latrodectus Bishopi

Latrodectus various

Leiurus quinquestriatus

Pandinus

Scolopendra Alternans (This was the worst part of Jungle School!)

Scolopendra

Abronia graminea

Tribolonotus gracillis

Uromastyx aegypictus

Brachypelma smithi acanthogonatus franki

Chilobrachys Fimbriatus

Hysterocrages gigas
I AM THE GREAT CORN-HOLIO!!!!!
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[boabab95]

"Uromastyx aegypictus
"


That is actually a mali uromastyx not an egyptian. i have one. srry thought id point that out.

[beckdg]

momerath, i see your point and fully agree about personalities and unfortunately there's always the exception to the rule. i believe it's one of the diamondbacks for example that's considered a constant exception to the rule because it doesn't have to be provoked usually. but then again i've seen a c/b beautiful red rat snake strike the glass in it's cage probably 30 or so times in just a couple minutes while i was waiting for a feeder rat at a lps. granted hots are a lot less common around here i've still never seen such an attitude in one anywhere. regardless the point is the false sense of security you can get from a seemingly calm venomous specimen. it can be dangerous to even the most weathered pro.

[Chu'Wuti]

others who are so pissy they strike the glass if they even sense you in the room!

Yep; we had one like that.

ALWAYS use hooks, tongs and tubes to safely handle these snakes!

WITHOUT FAIL.

I'm quite happy to have only non-hots now.