got a ?

[RhinoFangs]

ok is a texas broadband copperhead just as venomous as a normal copperhead? or is there any difference?

[danthony428]

i would assume it was just as venomous if its still a copperhead, but lets see what everyone else says

[The Snake Guru]

Copperheads are copperheads...LOL There's very little difference in the potency between locals. While venom from copperheads isn't the worst one out there they still should be considered "hot" as you may still need medical attention from a severe bite.

~B~

[RhinoFangs]

Ok ,thanks guys. I wasnt sure so i just wanted to be careful. Thats the same thing that i thought. Better to be safe than sorry.

[The Snake Guru]

Ok ,thanks guys. I wasnt sure so i just wanted to be careful. Thats the same thing that i thought. Better to be safe than sorry.Always better safe than sorry...especially when venom is involved...LOLIf you don't mind me asking, why the interest? Thinking about keeping or field herping? ~B~

[RhinoFangs]

Ever since i met sam ,she got me started on it and i love it. For some reason i have a thing for learing about all venomous. I am bad enough once i get started. I will sit for hours a read, a few times i have wasted a whole day just reading about stuff. i know a lot more than the average person for not owning any. My goal in life is to become an exotic vet, herptologist and if i get lucky with breeding maybe even open my own reptile store. Thats a yes on the keeping. Sam doesnt think i am ready for my first hot yet. But really i dont have any way to pratice. I have been useing our korean rat with our hook cause he is always trying to bite. If have any suggestions let me know.

[The Snake Guru]

Well it's always good to know as much as you can before you get into stuff like this, sounds you are doing just that.

1 of the bigger things with keeping Venomous is making sure that you have access to available anti-venom either through your own stock, or local facilities, if you are planning on keeping native species this shouldn't be an issue as most states that have rattlers ect. with keep the anti-venom for those on hand...but still it's best to make sure before acquiring them. Also keep in mind that should you get bit....treatment is extremely expensive anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 and insurance will not cover it.

Other things that should be considered are locked cages, or even a separate locked room with locked cages....always better to be safe than sorry.

Protocols for immediate and post hospitalization first aid should be written up and kept with arms reach should a get bit. Both you and Sam should be familiar with these and they should be brought along to the hospital when you go.

As for whether you are ready or not, honestly if I had the chance I would've searched out someone who I could've worked hots along side of (like an apprenticeship) before I got into them. But sadly that is not always a viable option. You can hone your hook skills using fast, aggressive, non-venomous but nothing will prepare for the actual thing. It really is a whole new ball game. The Korean is a good one (though a bit on the slow side), racers or coach whips would be some others....if you get whacked by those....you will get whacked by the hot stuff...LOL best thing I can tell you when I was doing it I imagined that it was a Black Mamba on the end of that hook and just kept at it.

At any rate sounds like you doing your homework which is good, when you get into this stuff...it's not just you that's needs to be ready, but Sam too....I know there were many long discussions with my wife before I finally go my first ones.

~B~

[mcem]

If you want practice, try and find someone to mentor you. Be aware that respectable hot keepers may be apprehensive at first thinking you may be doing it for the wrong reasons (i.e., to be macho, etc.). A relationship like this would be priceless. And don't be in a hurry...it's always better to be safe than sorry. I personally love hots but would never keep one...there are way too many cool nonvenomous for me to bring a hot into my home. If you have specific ?s, feel free to ask away.

[RhinoFangs]

Never to think i am mocho or anyhting like that. Most people that do that dont have any idea what they are getting in to. I would prefer to make my own anti venom but i havent the first clue how also i dont much about milking a snake. I am going to check out the Kentucky Reptile zoo and see if they doing anything like that for people who are interested in hots.Also would you just call the hospital to see if they carrie anti venom?

[The Snake Guru]

I would prefer to make my own anti venom

Are you a second generation rich kid? LOL Just kidd'n.....the cost in doing so would be astronomical....plus the licenses and paperwork...my head hurts just thinking about it...LOL

If you are going to start calling around facilities make sure you are specific in you are asking for. But yes...basically that is what you do. Just example if you are going to keep native pit vipers you are going to want to see if they carry CroFab or a constituant....CroFab is the common one.

I do whole heartedly agree with Matt on the apprenticeship though....if you could pull that off the knowledge gained from an experience such as that would be absolutely priceless!


~B~

[mcem]

I agree Brad on the making your own antivenom, too expensive and there's more to it than milking a couple of snakes. I actually know Jim and Kristen at Kentucky Reptile Zoo and I promise you they would tell you the same. And they won't do things like this for you just because you are into hots. They are a legitimate business that only deals with people with the proper paperwork for the venom.

I'm also with Brad on finding a source for antivenom AND a consultant that know what to do in case of an accident. Hospitals do not generally carry antivenom for exotic animals AND they generally don't know how to properly treat a snakebite (though in areas where bites are more commonplace, the doctors are much more capable). Having someone that is qualified to help the doctors (generally someone with credentials...doctors don't want to hear it from Joe Shmoe the hobbyist) could mean the difference between life and death.

Good luck and good for you for spending the time to learn your stuff!!

[The Snake Guru]

Matt is an awesome guy to talk to on this stuff....he's been working hot stuff some people can only dream about. LOL

I know when I started thinking about getting into it he was and still is a great resource to call on.

~B~

[mcem]

Matt is an awesome guy to talk to on this stuff....he's been working hot stuff some people can only dream about. LOL

I know when I started thinking about getting into it he was and still is a great resource to call on.

~B~

Awww...you are gonna bring a tear to my eye:Cry::Cry::Cry::hug:!!! LMAO

[The Snake Guru]

Awww...you are gonna bring a tear to my eye:Cry::Cry::Cry::hug:!!! LMAO

LOL...well lets not get out of hand shall we. I'm just say'n you've been a hell of help.

~B~

[chuck33]

Brandon,
where do you live and what do the local laws say about keeping a hot snake for you? I know there are lots of people on here (like Matt) who would love to keep a hot but because the state they live in they can't keep them. Just curious. Also depending on where you live could limit you to what you can own. Some states are only local hots (cali) other states are no local hots so depending on where you live will depend on if you could even keep one. Just thinking out loud. Also depending on where you live we might know someone close by that could mentor you.

Chuck

[mcem]

Brandon,
where do you live and what do the local laws say about keeping a hot snake for you? I know there are lots of people on here (like Matt) who would love to keep a hot but because the state they live in they can't keep them. Just curious. Also depending on where you live could limit you to what you can own. Some states are only local hots (cali) other states are no local hots so depending on where you live will depend on if you could even keep one. Just thinking out loud. Also depending on where you live we might know someone close by that could mentor you.

Chuck

Very could point Chuck!! I didn't even think of the local laws...too busy off in my own little world!!! LOL