Venomous snakes

[Poonjab]

Anyone here keep venomous snakes, particularly vipers? I have caught and handled rattlesnakes in my life but due to limited exposure other than catching in the field, I have never kept any snake that could seriously mess me up. Was curious what info you’d be willing to provide to someone wanting to explore the world of venomous snake keeping.

 

[viper69]

I know many that own them. One worked with a guy that had many species, that’s how he gained experience.

An important part is work with species that aren’t too defensive.

As you know hots is a whole other level as fatalities are possible.

You could try rear-fanged snakes first.

 

[basin79]

Anyone here keep venomous snakes, particularly vipers? I have caught and handled rattlesnakes in my life but due to limited exposure other than catching in the field, I have never kept any snake that could seriously mess me up. Was curious what info you’d be willing to provide to someone wanting to explore the world of venomous snake keeping.

Don't keep DWA snakes but you'd be best either looking for a course on handling hot snakes or see if someone near you (someone responsible) who keeps hots is willing to mentor you.

That way you will get to see snakes being handled via hooks/tailing and get to handle them too in a monitored environment. Also never hurts to have a network around you.

Might give useful tips too like having cards with the snakes details on velcro-ed to their viv so if you end up getting bit you can quickly remove it and take it with you to the hospital.

 

[ZachMcG]

Anyone here keep venomous snakes, particularly vipers? I have caught and handled rattlesnakes in my life but due to limited exposure other than catching in the field, I have never kept any snake that could seriously mess me up. Was curious what info you’d be willing to provide to someone wanting to explore the world of venomous snake keeping.

100% recommend starting with a copper head. Personally I think they are one of the more beautiful snakes and grew up near them. Don’t have mine anymore but they are a great starter hot and definitely manageable.

 

[Tarantuland]

I've heard people recommending keeping a false water cobra first. Just keep in mind that a dose of antivenom is going to cost tens of thousands of dollars and you can still suffer permanent damage, whereas you can buy a copperhead or rattlesnake for $60. I don't know him personally- but a friend of a friend runs a reptile show around here that I go to, and I've been told the reason they're so strict on restricting hots is because this guy got bit and had to have his big toe grafted to where his thumb used to be. I see these people on YT and tiktok free handling hots, and one of these guys has gotten bit by a king cobra two separate times. Not trying to naysay, but as someone who's studying ecology and conservation at a university I wouldn't keep hot snakes in the house where I slept haha.

 

[Poonjab]

That was kinda my thought on trying to spend time around someone how has years of experience. Not something I’m planning on pulling the trigger on for obvious reasons, but wanting to start exploring options to potentially building up to owning down the road. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Check state regulations. I used to live in Florida and you have to have a permit to posses venomous snakes. In order to get a permit you have to work I believe 100 hours with a registered venomous keeper who has a permit. They log your hours, you gain experience and they sign off on your 100 hours then you can apply for your permit. Pretty good mentor system.

Years ago when I was really into selling dart frogs, I would regularly do the whole reptile show thing,. I was vending at the Repticon FIRE Expo in Orlando or Tampa (can't remember which city). The booth across the aisle had all kinds of hot snakes. Death adders, cobras, Gaboon vipers, nasty stuff. I was joking with the guy and I told him if one of his snakes got loose and came across the aisle I was dead. I told him in the twenty minutes it would take for the venom to kill me I was going to give him a paper cut on his finger and rub my dart frogs on the wound. That would fix him. We both had a good laugh,

 

[Poonjab]

Check state regulations. I used to live in Florida and you have to have a permit to posses venomous snakes. In order to get a permit you have to work I believe 100 hours with a registered venomous keeper who has a permit. They log your hours, you gain experience and they sign off on your 100 hours then you can apply for your permit. Pretty good mentor system.

Awesome. Will definitely be checking into Oregon’s regulations

 

[Ferrachi]

Anyone here keep venomous snakes, particularly vipers? I have caught and handled rattlesnakes in my life but due to limited exposure other than catching in the field, I have never kept any snake that could seriously mess me up. Was curious what info you’d be willing to provide to someone wanting to explore the world of venomous snake keeping.

I know that @ignithium keeps a few different types...

 

[ZachMcG]

I've heard people recommending keeping a false water cobra first. Just keep in mind that a dose of antivenom is going to cost tens of thousands of dollars and you can still suffer permanent damage, whereas you can buy a copperhead or rattlesnake for $60. I don't know him personally- but a friend of a friend runs a reptile show around here that I go to, and I've been told the reason they're so strict on restricting hots is because this guy got bit and had to have his big toe grafted to where his thumb used to be. I see these people on YT and tiktok free handling hots, and one of these guys has gotten bit by a king cobra two separate times. Not trying to naysay, but as someone who's studying ecology and conservation at a university I wouldn't keep hot snakes in the house where I slept haha.

Honestly I couldn’t agree with this post more. I don’t plan on keeping hots anymore because I need my fingers to operate on patients. Definitely agree venomous need to be restricted because think of all the people who get them without even consulting a message board.

 

[Poonjab]

Honestly I couldn’t agree with this post more. I don’t plan on keeping hots anymore because I need my fingers to operate on patients. Definitely agree venomous need to be restricted because think of all the people who get them without even consulting a message board.

I agree with that. I honestly think it’s insane someone with zero knowledge or skill set can acquire one if they want. I do have “some” experience with them and I say that loosely, as catching rattlers in the wild/moving them from near my house does not equate to me having enough experience to keep and interact with regularly. Asking what my best route of action is because I might determine that overall it’s not worth the risk. Trying to be as logical as possible here haha.

 

[The Snark]

mentor

 

[RoachCoach]

I agree with that. I honestly think it’s insane someone with zero knowledge or skill set can acquire one if they want. I do have “some” experience with them and I say that loosely, as catching rattlers in the wild/moving them from near my house does not equate to me having enough experience to keep and interact with regularly. Asking what my best route of action is because I might determine that overall it’s not worth the risk. Trying to be as logical as possible here haha.

My grandmother used to poke alligator snapping turtles in the face to show me how dangerous they are. This was the early 80's and they were 50+ lbs. Although I don't agree with heavier regulation, I do agree pretty much with all that Matt has to say about keeping those spice noodles on Olympus Reptiles.

 

[intothemystery]

A bite is going to most likely cost you over $100k, and even with antivenom its possible to die or have lasting effects from the venom. There is also legal liability if it escapes and bites someone else, and moral obligation to make sure that never happens. Rattlesnakes are easy keepers for the most species. Honestly other than having the potential to ruin my life, mine is the ideal captive snake. If you are not willing to have your life destroyed, at least for a few days then hot snakes are not for you. There are smart ways to do it to eliminate anything but the most freak accidents, but the danger is always there. So is driving a car though, taking a shower, or walking down the street. Take that for what it's worth. Check out the youtube channel venom central to see someone doing it right.

Ps check your county laws in Oregon, the state is very lax.

 

[The Snark]

or have lasting effects from the venom.

Or the combination of venom and antivenin. I went from bee stings being a minor nuisance to 3 stings later full on anaphylaxis. Then 40 years down the road I tried a delicacy that had ant eggs in it. Throat swelled nearly shut after the first swallow.
Pretty typical when you dice with hemotoxins. AKA the easy way to turn your immune system into your worst enemy.

Addendum. I recently discovered bee venom is concocted quite similarly to Russells and Saw Scale viper venom. Both are acid based but pack a neurotoxin as well.

 

[viper69]

Just curious- where are people getting these 6 figure price tags if one gets tagged?

 

[Howlinwolf89]

A bite is going to most likely cost you over $100k, and even with antivenom its possible to die or have lasting effects from the venom. There is also legal liability if it escapes and bites someone else, and moral obligation to make sure that never happens. Rattlesnakes are easy keepers for the most species. Honestly other than having the potential to ruin my life, mine is the ideal captive snake. If you are not willing to have your life destroyed, at least for a few days then hot snakes are not for you. There are smart ways to do it to eliminate anything but the most freak accidents, but the danger is always there. So is driving a car though, taking a shower, or walking down the street. Take that for what it's worth. Check out the youtube channel venom central to see someone doing it right.

Ps check your county laws in Oregon, the state is very lax.

It is illegal in our town to have a venomous snake and i believe its that way for all of Texas unless its a zoo or snake milker .

 

[Howlinwolf89]

At a very young age my grandpa who was Native American taught me to respect snakes not fear them and i never have feared them .Here we have rattlesnakes and once a year or less someone will run across a coral snake .

 

[Matts inverts]

The owner of a reptile store around my area has a couple rattle snakes and knows a couple keepers of more venomous snakes. In California, you have to get a permit that’s like $50,000 and only allows a few venomous snakes. I haven’t looked at in a while. But, you are aloud to every rattle snake and sidewinder except for the red rattle snake. You are allowed to keep two of each species so that is up to 12 venomous rattle snakes. Reptile Factory sells beaded lizards too.

 

[Matts inverts]

It is illegal in our town to have a venomous snake and i believe its that way for all of Texas unless its a zoo or snake milker .

Texas is the easiest state to get a permit. I think it’s $20 and it allows you to keep all venomous snakes and large constrictors but you have to get it within 20 days of purchasing the animal. It’s a $65 permit to breed and sell them in state.