Dealing with hots

[Midnightrdr456]

Ok, im not sure of the reaction ill get here. Im interested in getting a venomous snake, but not for a long time (like about a year) I just wanna research it first for a long time to understand everything about it 100%.

Ive had snakes for a long time now (boa, kings, corns, pines, bulls, and a carpet python that was one mean ****). Again i dont plan to get one till im 100% sure i can handle keeping one and do ALOT of research.

Ive already decided when the time comes most likely ill get a copperhead (heard its a good intro hot snake). And ill have a year to look into it all or more, im not getting one till after college and im a senior next year but i wanna start learning about them now.

My main questions is cleanings. How do you clean a hots tank, im assuming using a snake stick to transfer it to a different tank, clean the cage and then transfer it back. But any suggestions on this. Also any helpful sites/books about this subject?

 

[ScorpDude]

I'd recomend getting a FWC (false water cobra) before dabbling in hots. You need to know exactly what to do in certain situations, and you can't afford to be unsure when your handling something that can kill you. I'd suggest going here http://www.livefoodshop.co.uk/forum/index.php?showforum=13 and asking as many questions as you can

 

[PA7R1CK]

This site has been great for showing the care for hot herps (below). I hope this helps you as much as it has helped my family and myself. It sounds to me like you have enough experence to own a hot. Even with experence its good to hear that you have decided to do lots of research. My biggest concern with owning hots (and you should think about this) is not so much the owner, but their family. No matter how experenced someone is snakes as any herper knows are escape artists. If a "hot" herp was to escape it could possibly kill a friend, family member, or pet. One of my friends owned a gaboon and it escaped and bit his mother, she didnt die but she was close to dying. I just suggest you take that aspect into consideration before owning one. If you decide to own a hot just be sure the container is escape proof and you have all the information that you need to own a hot herp. I'm not trying to be a jerk I'm just trying to help. Also be sure you have all the equiptment required to transfer and care for the snake. Copperheads are one of the best choices for jumping into the hot herp world, also make sure your local hospital can treat the snake bite from the snake your planning to get. With all this said, I hope it all works out for you and please share pictures if you get one

http://www.snakegetters.com/hk/hotcare.html
Also this link below has so much great information, please give it a look. "including caresheets"
http://www.snakegetters.com/demo/vet/links.html

 

[brokenpole]

Respect!!!

If you get a hot snake you had better make sure that you respect it!!

I handled 3 main venomous snakes...copperhead...cotton mouth...easter diamond back rattler. I was bit by all three and I can tell you that it ain't any fun. Not to mention the person that kept all of our snakes (Iwas in Boy Scouts at the time) had a fire in his house and the fire department REFUSED to enter the guys house. I was a member of a volunteer fire company that responded to the fire. Since I had handled them...I got to go in with other fire fighters. We recovered all but one of the snakes. They had all died. Never did find the rattle snake. Just another thing to keep in mind if you get one. If you need help you may find that no one wants to enter your house to help.

If found that if yo keep them well fed and treat them with respect that they can be kept. But each time I was bit it was because I let my guard down.

Think this over very carefully.

Sparky

 

[Midnightrdr456]

well thats a good point that ill look into. Also the family aspect, ive had snake escapes before but after 12 years keeping them im confident I can prevent that (i havent had an escape in almost 10 years i would guess).

Also for the copperhead like i said, i would love a cobra or rattlesnake but feel these are MUCH more advanced (or so ive seen on forums) so the copperhead is beautiful and a better intro one, ive heard.

 

[Sheri]

I handled 3 main venomous snakes...copperhead...cotton mouth...easter diamond back rattler. I was bit by all three and I can tell you that it ain't any fun.
If found that if yo keep them well fed and treat them with respect that they can be kept. But each time I was bit it was because I let my guard down.

Sparky

Just curious on the circumstances of each bite...
And if anti-venom was used for any and how many vials.

 

[mindlessvw]

I have worked with alot of different hots and do really enjoy copperheads. They have attitude but won't be too terrible of a bite. As far as cleaning i spot clean with hemostats and as for a full cage cleaning you can either do a hot bax where they get inside and it closes so you never really have the snake out or you can transfer. The hot box is great when you get into bigger hots. The last thing you want is the snake getting lose and do remember copperheads are notoriously bad on hooks. Also, don't forget to check the laws where you live. Some places have strange laws concerning hots. Last but not least...be careful! They are an animal that is to be very respected and hardly ever handled. Good luck...

 

[P-Rice]

This site is really good on venomous reptiles. http://www.venomousreptiles.org/

 

[brokenpole]

For 2 of the 3

Just curious on the circumstances of each bite...
And if anti-venom was used for any and how many vials.

For two out of the 3 I took the anti-venom. Five viles for the copperhead. I was in the hospital for a couple of days with that on. It was the one that really tagged me good. The rattler just scratched me but it hurt like hell. Gave me a vile at the scene just to be sure. I never stayed in the hospital for the cotton mouth but I did get I think 3 viles over several days. I was 15 -17 years old when it happened.

Sparky

 

[Midnightrdr456]

where do you buy hots (again not gonna for a long time) but its not like your average petstore sells them

 

[jwmeeker]

Kingsnake.com and venomousreptiles.org both have breeder sections/classifieds for hots. That's where I'd start.

Coastalreptiles.com also used to list venomous laws, state by state. Their website has been inoperative for a little while though. I'm not sure what happened to it. Don't forget to check out your city laws as well. Some of those guys have inacted laws on hots, even though the state itself might not even require a permit.

 

[mindlessvw]

Also, how old are you? From what i understand it is illegal period if you are under 18 and most shows will not sell to people under 21. at least some of the texas shows won't. You also need to get a mentor. Someone who has been working with them for many many years. This is someone who is into the same things you are interested in getting into and they can really show you how it is done. Try the venomous forums on kingsnake.com they can be a little rough but just be receptive. You can learn alot

 

[LHP]

This site is really good on venomous reptiles. http://www.venomousreptiles.org/

Ditto. Especially check out their bite photo archives.

...easter diamond back rattler.

Ohhhh...I becha they're VERY pretty!!! Watch out Easter Bunny!

Lindsey

 

[Takumaku]

If you are dead serious about keeping venomous reptiles, I recommend you call and ask your local zoo or herpetologist or vet if they keep venomous reptiles. If they do, then I strongly recommend you ask if they wouldn't mind if you can voluntary. Explain to them that you are interested in keeping venomous reptiles and would like to go through a sortof mentorship with them.

 

[Beardo]

It is illegal to own venomous reptiles in New York, so this should be a moot point.

 

[Icey]

Moot point aside and if you decide to move out of NY ever, I'd strongly recommed this book Venomous Snakes in Captivity Safety and Husbandry by BW Smith

 

[Midnightrdr456]

well i was gonna look into the laws once i got closer to getting one, but if its illegal to own one on Long Island (like i know T's are illegal in the city but not LI) but if it really is illegal then thats the end of this lol

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

It is illegal to own venomous reptiles in New York, so this should be a moot point.

Just because it's illegal doesn't mean people won't do it Try telling all the drug dealers in New York that what they are doing is illegal:} If only it were that simple.....

 

[Midnightrdr456]

yea but im not gonna do it against the law, problems relating from that can in turn result negatively upon the hobby for those doing it legally

 

[Bedlam]

yea but im not gonna do it against the law, problems relating from that can in turn result negatively upon the hobby for those doing it legally

Now THAT is what I call responsible! :clap: