getting started

[Justin]

im just curious as to how everyone who keeps, or works, with hots got started and what preparation they took before working a venomous animal. i have next to no experience with them so id like to know where everyone started. i have asked a few differnet people, and would like some more opinions and stories.

[The Snake Guru]

Hey Justin!

Going to go for the gold aye? LOL Well to tell you the truth I myself am pretty new to the Hot keeping game. I've kept countless other species but venomous stuff is definitely a whole new ball game! LOL

First thing to do is research.....A LOT! I grabbed up every book, article and piece of information on keeping venomous that I could find, talking to people who have kept venomous snakes is also a great help! You are a lucky man being in the same area as Matt, latch on to him man! Matt knows his stuff you can learn more from him than anywhere else I would bet!

I'll tell ya one thing that Matt suggested that I found of great help, even though I was kind of doing it even before I ever talked to him. Find a fast "prone to bite species" and start practicing on those hook skills, feeling absolutely comfortable with a hook is a must for this hobby, it should feel like an extension of your own hand.

Other considerations are what species you would like to keep, and if anti-venom is readily available for those species.

And here's a must have book for any venomous keeper:
Venomous Snakes In Captivity by: B.W.Smith

This book is jammed packed with information, including anti-venom resources, toxicity charts, and on-line links to even more information, includes a section a equipment, setting up protocols, and safety guidlines.....just a great book all around and something you should definitely read if you are interested in this.

I gotta tell ya, I was anxious when I first started looking into keeping venomous, there's a lot of hype and crap to cut through, but I have to say I'm glad a decided to give it a shot, it's well worth it! And a special thanks goes out to Matt he's been the devil on my shoulder through most of the process...LOL

~B~

[Gary Orner]

im just curious as to how everyone who keeps, or works, with hots got started and what preparation they took before working a venomous animal. i have next to no experience with them so id like to know where everyone started. i have asked a few differnet people, and would like some more opinions and stories.

I work with other keepers animals. I talk to other keepers. I read a few books here and there but at the same time I listened to the keepers of the species I wanted to keep.

There is no such thing as a starter hot. No hot species will act like another. There is lower venom in some but no starter IMO.

What I would so is pick the species you want. The research it and talk to people that keep said species then ask around if they would let you work with them.

I am very lucky in knowing some of the best Venomous keepers in the world. But that can be everyone if they just open their minds and arms.

Lets say you want a Gaboon Viper. There is no other snake to get you ready other then a gabby. It sounds stupid but when you think about it it is not. Gabbies strike hard and fast but most will not sit and chase you. Will not sit in the S position and let you know they are going to strike. No they will sit half buried in the dirt. If you get to close BAM they hit. And Gabbies rarely miss.

If you are looking for an arboreal species like say a Popes Tree Viper a fast moving rat snake will not prepare you either.

Research the species you want to go after. Talk to them keepers. PICK THEIR MINDS! Find someone that is close enough to you and ask. there are more hot keepers then most of us know. Earn their respect and they will come out of the wood work to help

[The Snake Guru]

That's true, there really isn't anything non-venomous that compares to anything venomous....2 completely different worlds.

I only stated the part about the fast moving prone to bite species to help hone hook and handling skills, the more comfortable you are with the hook, the better.

~B~

[Justin]

There is no such thing as a starter hot.

right, i have heard people say "there is no venomous snake with trainging wheels"

and yeah, with the position im in there are plenty of people for me to talk with and get tips from. i agree guru! matt knows his stuff! lol, iv already picked his brain pretty much (im not even close to being done yet tho)

[chuck33]

Growing up here in West Texas you learn quickly when your out in the country what to do when you come across a rattler. I learned at about 10 or so when I went camping alot how to not to handle them and to stay a safe disdance till they move, or you find a safe way around them. It wasn't till I got older and started getting into snakes that I looked into getting a hot. I wanted an eyelash viper or something like a popes tree viper from the onset. But living in a college dorm I thought better of it. So I already had a western hognose, and soon got my male sonoran gopher. This was 10 years ago. After my extensive travels around the world and selling almost all of my collection I got back to the states and got back into the hobby full blown. It was another 3 years from getting back in the states that I got my rattler. I had no ambishion to keep him from the start. But he had no rattle just a button and I wanted to bring him home to show the kids since we were living in the country and would come across them. My brother in law called me on the phone and tole me he found a rattle snake and for me to come check it out. I did and brought it home. Thats when the GF said "OOOOHHHHHH it's so CUTE!!!" Followed shortly after by a "Can we keep it???" I had a sutible cage that was empty and thought what the hell. I have researched them wanting to get a Lepidus, so it couldn't be that hard. I had all the tools I would need, several hooks, a secure cage, knowledge of the animal and their general behavior, husbandry requirements, directions to the closest hospital that has CroFab, and previous work field herping with rattlers. So we kept him thinking it would be for a few months get a few good meals and some size on him then release him. Think again, here I am having him a year and 4 months, he has a name, and a regular feeding schedule. I have grown fond of Oscar and enjoy his presence in my home. He has been a great learning expierence and has tought me well since I still want to get another viper in my home.

That being said I will agree with what has been said already. Research. I did almost 9 years of it off and on and did 3 good years on Lepidus when I got back to the states before owning one. Public librarys, Internet, zoo staff and the reptile curator in Colorado Springs at their zoo. I even picked a few brains of people that participate in the Sweetwater rattlesnake roundup every year. Roundups are all for another topic, but the guys I taled to worked in the 18 foot circular pit with the 5 foot walls that had about 3000 snakes in it. You don't do that without learning something about the animals. And I sent e-mails to Tim Cole who lives in Austin and breeds several diffrent types of rattlesnakes to include being the first breeder of several morphs.

If you think you want a hot. Look at them, decide on one you want, and do as much learning about them as you can. Once you feel you have learned as much as you can, if you have access to someone with a hot collection, or a zoo that will let you help with theirs under supervision, then get your hands on training from someone who knows. Then get one. Best of luck to you!

Chuck

[Gary Orner]

What species are you interested in? And where are you located. State would help. I may be able to hook you up with some people.

[Justin]

What species are you interested in? And where are you located. State would help. I may be able to hook you up with some people.


im not wanting to own one, not now atleast. i just would like to know where to start, and what i can do for the time being, if i ever would want one, or if i ever would need to work one. i live in illinois so i wouldnt be able to anyway, not legally atleast.

[mcem]

And a special thanks goes out to Matt he's been the devil on my shoulder through most of the process...LOL

~B~

More like the angel keepin' your @ss in line!! LOL

im just curious as to how everyone who keeps, or works, with hots got started and what preparation they took before working a venomous animal. i have next to no experience with them so id like to know where everyone started. i have asked a few differnet people, and would like some more opinions and stories.

So you know I'm always more than happy to help...heck you practically live down the street!!! LOL

Anyways, I actually got my start working with hots from a couple places. One I love to go herpin' and photograph herps so I ran into many venomous critters down in southern IL on my expeditions. This helped me learn how to work them and be more comfortable in a wild setting. Secondly, after becoming an intern at the zoo and working at a retile store, all the venomous keepers in the area started to come out of the woodwork, some of them taking me under their wing to teach me the do's and don'ts of working hots. Now, my opportunities at the zoo allow me endless opportunities to hone my venomous snake keeping skills.

Honestly, you probably have no idea how many good hot keepers are right under your nose. Gain their trust and I'm sure many would give you the opportunity to learn from them.

And as Brad said, I think it is very important to be quite good hooking harmless snakes before graduating to the kind that do damage. Man feel free to ask away, you see me a couple times a week and you have my number.

[The Snake Guru]

More like the angel keepin' your @ss in line!! LOL

RFLOL....isss that what you call it! LOL

~B~

[Justin]

More like the angel keepin' your @ss in line!! LOL



So you know I'm always more than happy to help...heck you practically live down the street!!! LOL

Man feel free to ask away, you see me a couple times a week and you have my number.


yeah dude, definetly, i just wanted to see what everyone else had to say. trust me tho, ill pick at your brain until your sick of it ! LOL