Listerine

[Greg'sGarters]

What were you milking the copperhead for? When I was 15 I did some pretty stupid things, but I don't think my parents would have let me keep venomous snakes - in fact I'm certain of it, because in the UK you need 5 be licensed to keep dangerous wild animals (am I to understand that in New Jersey anyone can keep hot snakes?).
Regardless, what were you planning to do with the milked venom? Outside of a lab or medical setting there's not much that venom is useful for.

When we were younger we all did some dumb things. Milking the venomous snake I owned was one of them. I was going to try to use the venom to create a venom-resistant mouse. Before I get criticized for doing that, I know it is a dumb idea and almost definitely would have failed. And to answer your question, no you also need to be licensed to keep venomous snakes in NJ. That's why I will not start up with hots again until I can live in PA, because in PA, anyone can keep hots.

[ConcinusMan]

in PA, anyone can keep hots.

But many local harmless snakes are off limits. Makes perfect sense.

[Greg'sGarters]

But many local harmless snakes are off limits. Makes perfect sense.

In NJ you need a permit to own a little tiny house gecko but none for an ostrich or llama!!! Dead serious!!!

[chris-uk]

When we were younger we all did some dumb things. Milking the venomous snake I owned was one of them. I was going to try to use the venom to create a venom-resistant mouse. Before I get criticized for doing that, I know it is a dumb idea and almost definitely would have failed. And to answer your question, no you also need to be licensed to keep venomous snakes in NJ. That's why I will not start up with hots again until I can live in PA, because in PA, anyone can keep hots.

My advice would be to go to university (when you're old enough) and learn how to safely and ethically perform that sort of experiment, rather than just trying it at home because a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Given that you've had a number of garter escapes wouldn't you be better off keeping hots in a state where a veterinary inspection of your facilities and a licence are required? After all, imagine that the proximus you recovered yesterday was a cottonmouth, or something more dangerous.

[Greg'sGarters]

My advice would be to go to university (when you're old enough) and learn how to safely and ethically perform that sort of experiment, rather than just trying it at home because a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Given that you've had a number of garter escapes wouldn't you be better off keeping hots in a state where a veterinary inspection of your facilities and a licence are required? After all, imagine that the proximus you recovered yesterday was a cottonmouth, or something more dangerous.

No, keeping hots is not the only reason I am moving to PA. Land is cheaper, it is much less crowded, I know people there, more reptile shows, more likely to catch a garter or see cool wildlife, etc. Plus when I do start up with keeping hots again, I won't be using the same cages I use for garters. I would use a different type of cage, one that is much more secure. And just to let you guys know, I plan to major in herpetology in college, and I will not keep hots again until after that.