Why hots?

Originally Posted by Roscoe09

I don’t mean younger people selling them. I’m talking about the younger inexperienced buying. I too see at expos the older generation selling. I do think that people should be IDed before buying venomous snakes like alcohol. I mean no offense to the responsible younger generation. I graduate you for your success. I my self would not be able to do this.

I'm not going to say that what you are describing doesn't happen, since I know it does (never seen it personally). Personally, I feel that, if you are vending, the first questions asked should be ID and experience, with a close follow-up of references. That would help ensure that those interested in keeping actually get a mentor and actually learn how to work hots instead of jumping right in.

For me it was all about the uniqueness of the animal and the risk was something unfortunate that I was bound to mitigate for my safety and that of others. I liked the snakes as creatures alone not because of their venom but because I like them. If they were not hot I’d like them the same maybe even more because I wouldn’t have had to go through all the safety protocols.

I like (currently don’t keep) the hot species I like because I like them, lol simple as that really. Any substitute was not sufficient just like when they changed the Becky actors in Rosanne or the Darrens in Bewitched. When people say just keep the non venomous look alike its like saying, “Oh you really like crested geckos cool but they are deadly why not try a leaf tail gecko they are similar.” Yeah...just not the same for me :-)

Still, I agree with everyone’s liability and safety concerns fully. Sadly most (not all) private hot keepers Ive known and have witnessed over the last 18 years of my observing have been undertrained, under experienced, and slightly egotistical which is a dangerous combination.

-TC
Former AZA Zookeeper & University Venomous Lab Keeper


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Originally Posted by MidgetFadeds

For me it was all about the uniqueness of the animal and the risk was something unfortunate that I was bound to mitigate for my safety and that of others. I liked the snakes as creatures alone not because of their venom but because I like them. If they were not hot I’d like them the same maybe even more because I wouldn’t have had to go through all the safety protocols.....

I no longer keep anything but harmless snakes, but some years back, I accidentally got into rattlesnakes primarily because they were local & ending up in people's yards, & then kept a number of both hot & previously-owned & unwanted venomoids safely for 20 years. I was not initially drawn to rattlesnakes at all, but I just didn't want them killed needlessly for being in the wrong place, and I've never been sorry that I kept an open mind when the first one (a venomoid) was offered to me, as that snake taught me a great deal. It certainly wasn't about him being venomous, as he had no ability to envenomate, but really about his personality. I can even remember thinking at the time that rattlesnakes were "ugly" as I was comparing them to my colorful rat snakes. I often told people who asked why I helped rattlesnakes that I didn't like them "because they are venomous, but in spite of it".

So I can really relate to MidgetFadeds' post, quoted above. The statistics say that most venomous bites befall young males who've been drinking+, and while there does seem to be a "macho" element for some, happily not everyone falls into that category. With a background in health care, I've seen plenty of bite images & have an enormous sense of self-preservation. I'd also caution anyone thinking of keeping hots, not only about the liability, but where you're going to live: if you rent, forget it, and if you own a place, good luck with homeowner's insurance. (I was very lucky in that respect, I had an agent with whom I was honest, trusted & locally well-known.)

Let me re-explain. I do see predominantly older generations sell them. I do realize they’re younger people you sell them as well. I’m just saying a lot of hot accidents seem to the ignorance of younger generations. As well they’re still some of the older generations are almost ambitious as the younger having accidents as well. People should be mentored like you said similar to the poison dart frog hobby. Please ask questions if you’re not understanding what I’m getting at?

I apologize, I wasn't grilling you, if that's how it appeared to you. I see where you are coming from and acknowledge that there is truth in that, I'm just giving my 2 cents worth.

No apology needed. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. Your comments aloud me to give more depth to my responses. I see that my comments were a bit vague. I agree with many of your statements. Thanks.

Here’s a article: https://www.google.com/amp/myfox8.co...snakebite/amp/
18 is still a little young in my opinion. I think it’s also bad that online a ten year old (for example not real) can buy like an eyelash viper with no questions asked.

Actually, I know the guy that got bit in that article. He's come quite a way since that time, much better keeper now.

What hots do you keep? Did you ever vend at the Hampton Roads Expo?

If anyone is considering a venomous snake reads this, I really recommend not getting a vemonoid. They’re not a smart choice as a replacement hot because they can come in really bad condition.