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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