Western Water viper..

I met a huge 2+ft water viper(venomous moccasin) today at the creek He was pretty cool I wonder If people keep these as pets?Or do they only keep them as baby and raise them?I caught him he was so freaking thick I caught him just to look at him he wasn't hurt.He was sadly tick ridden and seemed wrinkled he was pretty black colored..He was living near some snappys much smaller then him.Some how I found a few crabs legs near him but I don't see crabs in any of the city creek.I had fun exploring my local creeks and drainage ditches I saw other snakes and soft shelled turtles.I'm gonna find a baby snappy...hopefully.

Do any of you own one?Or keep wild animals as pets?Not just pe tshop pets?
My localpetshop will buy horny toads for 45$ that's pretty neat I thought because Ive found 2 Near my home...

I have a snapping turtle, and I truly love caring for him. However there is a statement I made once that still holds true.

"My snapping turtle is the most expensive pet I have, and he was free."

Seriously, the proper housing and care for any aquatic turtle is pretty high up there. Then again, a lot of that is just in aquariums, and finding filters that can keep up (Fx5 is the best so far).

I don't have any experience with venomous yet, but eventually would like to get the proper permits. Out of all venomous, I really like the idea of working with a species of rattlesnake. They're kind of the 'OG' in terms of patriotic animals in my eyes. "Don't tread on me"



Another note, I wouldn't take local wildlife and introduce them into the pet trade. It isn't good for conservation, and isn't particularly good for the animals stress levels. If you want to breed some and introduce them into the trade following all laws and regulations, then by all means go ahead.