My daughter would own an eyelash viper if she thought she could take care of it as it should be. So I understand some peoples desire to own them. I personally wouldn't own a hot snake as I don't feel they are something that needs to be owned by "just anyone". I feel anyone who has one should be trained in handling and husbandry for that particular snake. Just my opinion

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Kat

The fascination with venomous reptiles for me is the stature they carry in the natural order. I find it crazy yet intriguing that an animal that is so small in relation to most of its surroundings is treated with such respect by its fellow critters. When you see a horse run from a rattle snake or a cow intentionally keep its distance from a copperhead there is a whole new level of intimidation and fear that people often take for granted.

In my experience, primarily in field research, there is no other animal that is so uniquely suited to their niche. So in keeping a venomous snake or any other "hazardous" reptile you are able to observe the beauty and perfection that is an apex predator. I don't keep any long term but I have had several brought to me and that I have gone to capture for venom tests, that I have had for a short time, and just the fearlessness and confidence that these snakes posses is amazing to observe. I have corn snakes and have had several constrictors and other reptiles, but nothing is as naturally striking (no pun intended) as a venomous snake.

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“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ (I found it!) but ‘That’s funny…'"
- Isaac Asimov



TKE:TT:118

LOL! Yes this thread is over 3 years old!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

*Sheepish grin* I don't usually look at the dates before posting. I guess I just assume they're current. Whoops.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

We normally have a threadlock that puts them away after a certain amount of time. Since Rich is working on the site some things have been disabled for the time being.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

This one seems harmless to respond to since it's a matter of preference rather than a matter where time is of the essence (ex: My iguana ate my wallet).

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Your iguana ate your wallet in 2003!? Get him to a vet now!!!

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Matter of opinion is right, although I do think we have a similar, newer thread around here somewhere, too. But I'm too lazy to search for it right now.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

Humm... My 2 Cents... I have to agree with most of the people here about venomous snakes, they are an awesome part of nature, but you screw up, you could be dead... Id love to own a boomslang. I find them the #1 most amazing snake, why Im not sure, I find them stunning... But back to reality, Im not the smartest person around... My heart and brain says, wow, this is an awesome creature, I would love to have and respect, but then that little dude on my shoulder slaps me in the face, and asks if Im stupid... If I ever owned a hot snake, I would have to have all of my base's covered... from hooks to anti venom, to personal at the hospital trained in boomslang bites... and I also dont believe in having personal pets that cant be handeled by hand... So reality is, I wont ever meet my own strict criteria, so, Ill never have one... Its a battle of my personal reality, and want...
(eh and who cares if the thread is old, Its open now, enjoy it!)

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"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Immanual Kant

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

I find cobras amazingly beautiful because of their hoods and movements; green mambas gorgeous because of their color patterns and beautiful eyes, and rattlers cool because of their rattles. If any of those were NOT venemous, I'd own them.
So no; for me the venemous factor is not at all what attracts me... quite the contrary!

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Andrea

since we seem to have revived this thread- i'll jump in too....

I am interested in keeping hots.
A friend of mine does a lot of the education for our local animal control. he takes the cotton mouths, copperheads, rattlers, etc... out and shows them how to handle them.

He is one that freehandles a few- and hooks the rest.

I hook a lot of the snakes here- just to remove them from the cage, but I am not as comfortable with them on a hook as I am with them in my hands.
If they're going to get you- they are GOING to get you- no matter if they're in your hand or 2 foot away on a hook.

I have had a few lessons from my friend in handling, caging, etc....

I know I am nowhere near ready to have one of my own- and therefor- I DONT HAVE ONE!!

As for venomoids- there is nothing more wrong in this world. If you cannot handle a true venomous animal- you should not have one. Why alter an animals anatomy, defense, way of eating, living and surviving- all so you can handle it.....
Not trying to stir the pot- just stating my opinion- which I, as well as everyone else, am entitled to....

When I am ready for a hot-- and when I am moved out of city limits- I will start collecting.

There are only a few select snakes i'm interested in- copperheads are the all time beauties, as well as timber rattlers, and eyelash vipers. The eyelash will most likely be the first.... when the time comes....


Beth