have anyone of you poison snakes?

[adamanteus]

In the past I have kept many venomous snake species, from Rattlesnakes of various species and other Pit Vipers such as the Urutu (Bothrops alternatus) through "true" vipers such as the European Adder (Vipera berus), Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) and Puff Adders (Bitis arietans), and some Elapids including Spitting Cobras (N. sputatrix) and the Oh so scary Cape Cobra (N.? can't remember the specific name without looking it up in a book!). My favourite group must be snakes of the Agkistrodon complex, including many species our American friends might be familiar with: Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), and the Cottonmouth or Mocassin (Agkistrodon piscavorous) . Though I have had (and bred) other snakes from this group including the Malayan Pit Viper (Calloselasma rhodastoma). I have also had some of the "back fanged" snakes including the Cat Eyed Snake (Boiga cyanea) which bred whilst in my care.

I would not recommend the keeping of venomous snakes for "pleasure". You can never underestimate the ability of these animals to kill you if provoked. Many venomous species are quite placcid by nature and it's easy to become complacent when dealing with them. That's when accidents happen. In many ways they are less interesting to keep...by their very nature they are less active (generally speaking) as they simply lie in ambush for their prey. And the risks are just too high. You can always see them in the Zoo! Don't be tempted...it's both dangerous and disappointing.

[infernalis]

I would not recommend the keeping of venomous snakes for "pleasure". You can never underestimate the ability of these animals to kill you if provoked. Many venomous species are quite placid by nature and it's easy to become complacent when dealing with them. That's when accidents happen. In many ways they are less interesting to keep...by their very nature they are less active (generally speaking) as they simply lie in ambush for their prey. And the risks are just too high. You can always see them in the Zoo! Don't be tempted...it's both dangerous and disappointing.

Here is another ancient thread worth having a look.

I agree wholeheartedly with James on the statement above, I also admire many handsome Venomous species, But I'd rather just admire the pictures, and see them at a zoo, Even if I were the most experienced keeper on the planet, I'd rather not have a "Pet" that can one day kill me with a nanosecond of bad judgment.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Some enjoy jumping headfirst out of airplanes, some enjoy diving off cliffs into rivers, some enjoy rollercoasters, driving things off ramps or strapping sticks to your legs and coasting down a snowy mountain.... and then others enjoy keeping venomous animals. It's all in what gives you that excitement... that rush. While I hate heights and therefore do not enjoy any of the first things in the least... I will probably own a venomous snake or two some day.

[infernalis]

Some enjoy jumping headfirst out of airplanes, some enjoy diving off cliffs into rivers, some enjoy rollercoasters, driving things off ramps or strapping sticks to your legs and coasting down a snowy mountain.... and then others enjoy keeping venomous animals. It's all in what gives you that excitement... that rush. While I hate heights and therefore do not enjoy any of the first things in the least... I will probably own a venomous snake or two some day.

All things I enjoy doing, yet hard to do when dead from a snakebite.

[Loren]

Some enjoy jumping headfirst out of airplanes, some enjoy diving off cliffs into rivers, some enjoy rollercoasters, driving things off ramps or strapping sticks to your legs and coasting down a snowy mountain.... and then others enjoy keeping venomous animals. It's all in what gives you that excitement... that rush. While I hate heights and therefore do not enjoy any of the first things in the least... I will probably own a venomous snake or two some day.

I agree with Shannon- many people have potentially deadly hobbies. A harmelss trip down the slope, or lap around the dirtbike track... any of these things could be the last thing we do. Many hobbies have risks. A couple of my buddies badly injured themselves simply enjoying a wakeboard ride. Its all about what you like to do, and what you feel capable of- and being careful of coarse. I do feel strongly though, that people who keep hots should have them locked away securely in a room separate from people, and antivenom should be available for the species you keep.

[Stefan-A]

Some enjoy jumping headfirst out of airplanes, some enjoy diving off cliffs into rivers, some enjoy rollercoasters, driving things off ramps or strapping sticks to your legs and coasting down a snowy mountain.... and then others enjoy keeping venomous animals. It's all in what gives you that excitement... that rush.

Maybe I'm just reading you wrong (probably), but to me that seems like pretty much the worst possible reason to keep a potentially dangerous animal. It's one thing if the dangerous element just spices up the hobby a bit, and a whole other if danger is practically the only reason you're doing it.

Now don't get me wrong, I have a hobby that's pretty much in the same category (i.e. contains a dangerous element, check the profile, guess which one it is ), but if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that people who are just looking for a rush are often very irresponsible, sometimes right out dangerous to be around.

[infernalis]

Maybe I'm just reading you wrong (probably), but to me that seems like pretty much the worst possible reason to keep a potentially dangerous animal. It's one thing if the dangerous element just spices up the hobby a bit, and a whole other if danger is practically the only reason you're doing it.

Now don't get me wrong, I have a hobby that's pretty much in the same category (i.e. contains a dangerous element, check the profile, guess which one it is ), but if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that people who are just looking for a rush are often very irresponsible, sometimes right out dangerous to be around.

Hunting.

I don't know about Finland, but anytime one enters the woods during game season in the USA, there is the genuine risk of some untrained fool with a loaded weapon "accidentally" shooting you.

I have to agree with Loren's statement as well, I myself have some scars, and have seen the helicopter pick up badly wounded people from my track, but there is a sharp contrast here, our trauma centers have expertise in treating broken bones, however they are clueless what to do for a mamba bite.

[NetBSD]

Hunting.

I don't know about Finland, but anytime one enters the woods during game season in the USA, there is the genuine risk of some untrained fool with a loaded weapon "accidentally" shooting you.

AMEN. around my parts we got some real morons out with loaded rifels, this is one reason i keep my arse home and outof the mountain during hunting.



oh and to stay on topic. i catch and release copperheads all the time, mostly down at the local fishing spot when i see a gang of kids trying to kill the poor thing, but i would never keep anything that is venomous mainly because i have a 1 year old daughter that i am not willing to risk getting bit even if i kept the snake in fort knox

[reptile3]

AMEN. around my parts we got some real morons out with loaded rifels, this is one reason i keep my arse home and outof the mountain during hunting.



oh and to stay on topic. i catch and release copperheads all the time, mostly down at the local fishing spot when i see a gang of kids trying to kill the poor thing, but i would never keep anything that is venomous mainly because i have a 1 year old daughter that i am not willing to risk getting bit even if i kept the snake in fort knox

We have them around here alot, but I never seen one.... just dead ones ran over or the shed.

[infernalis]

I would never keep anything that is venomous mainly because i have a 1 year old daughter that i am not willing to risk getting bit even if i kept the snake in fort knox

Ditto, I have kids 9, 12, 15, 26 and a grand daughter to think about.