Beginning Hots

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Originally Posted by jessie_k_pythons

EDIT: alll of the animals above were worked with and handeled under my training program through Tucson Volenteer work at the Sonora Desert Muse.

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That is so cool! I love the Sonora Desert Museum...=)

Yea some vipers have a heck of a strike range! I stoped working with hots when I hit my head and lost some hand-eye- skills... I'm just a tad slow now.:imslow:

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Originally Posted by jessie_k_pythons

I started out this Beaded lizards an Gila monsters, then with the help of a local volenteer program in Tucson I started out with The WDB Rattlesnakes. They are quite calm compared to othe rattlers. every one is very right in that you should get hands on training with a expert. not jo blow down the road that "rescues hots" I also started out with hot insects and spiders. Scorpions are fun and the ones in pet stores (I cant even try and spell the name of them) the big black ones' the females can get really nasty. they wont kill you (unless you have a problem with bee stings) but there is another starter. I could be way off on this and if i am please feel free to correct me.

EDIT: alll of the animals above were worked with and handeled under my training program through Tucson Volenteer work at the Sonora Desert Muse.

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I know this thread is a bit old but oh well. :D I'd just like to point out that one *can NOT* compare invertebrates to venomous snakes. The single most deadly scorpion in the hobby, Leiurus quinquestriatus (Egyptian Deathstalker)and the most dangerous true spider known, Atrax robustus (Sydney Funnel web), have the ability to kill a human pretty sufficiently, however, even their venom can not be compared to that of a venomous snake. There is *no* such thing as a "good beginner's hot" when it comes to snakes. Snakes are in a ball park all their own, especially in comparison to invertebrates...there just is no comparison. An invert can not strike like a snake, nor can they move as quickly. The care requirements, on the part of the care taker and their level of caution, as well as necessary supplies, is *much* different than with invertebrates. I keep some of the hottest scorpions in the hobby, including the L.Q and I would NEVER use what I know about dealing with them to try and deal with venomous snakes....it's not even remotely the same.
And P. imperator (emperor scorpions) they're venom is *more* mild than that of a bee. In addition, scorpion venom (arthropod venom in general) can NOT be compared to insect venom....they are comprised of completely different things. You can be stung by an imp. and not suffer any effects what so ever and get stung by a bee and die of an allergic reaction. ;)

For some excellent reading on how to learn to work with venomous snakes, check out this link, especially post #11.Welcome to Hot Elementary School

this may be off-topic, but are Vine Snakes considered hots?

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

this may be off-topic, but are Vine Snakes considered hots?

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they are rear fanged mildly venomous so yes.

I only know what I've read and shows I have watched reguarding hots but the same statement always comes up that "it isn't a matter of you will never get bite but a matter of when"
Like Judy said better make sure your in an area that would even know what to do if you got bite and had the anti-venom on hand.

I have heard that Copperheads are good first hots as their venom is not as strong as most and unless you are young,elderly or in poor health that a bite is not that bad and most times not life threating. Still they are hots.

First hand experience w/ a experienced handler would seem mandatory in my book.
As for caging I would think they would have to be keylocked and then the room they are kept in locked also at all times.

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Originally Posted by uro1001

they are rear fanged mildly venomous so yes.

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Would that make Hognoses considered as hots?

yes hognose snakes are mildly venomous although they are not considered"true" hots. there is no best hot. coppers are only"better" because they are rarely fatal. i personally think that my monacleds are real sweetes but they can kill you. who ever said"its not a matter if you get but its when" is just hilarious as it is based on no experience. ive been bitten twice-one from a black and one from a cotton. i own more monacleds and have never even been close to getting bit. why? because i know there personality and movements and they are very easy to predict. if you focas on one species of hot you will likely not get bit:)

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Originally Posted by uro1001

yes hognose snakes are mildly venomous although they are not considered"true" hots. there is no best hot. coppers are only"better" because they are rarely fatal. i personally think that my monacleds are real sweetes but they can kill you. who ever said"its not a matter if you get but its when" is just hilarious as it is based on no experience. ive been bitten twice-one from a black and one from a cotton. i own more monacleds and have never even been close to getting bit. why? because i know there personality and movements and they are very easy to predict. if you focas on one species of hot you will likely not get bit:)

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The comment has been made by Jeff Corwin, by the Snake Wrangler dude ( can't think of his name now), Dr Bush,Bill Hasst and the two guys who head Venom 1 rescue in Fla. All of whom keep hot's or have extensive experience w/ hots.
No disrespect intended but I feel I would go with the advice of these gentlemen. You said you haven't been bite but then again your snake keeping days are not over yet, are they ? ( not trying to jinx ya ) :)
I just wanted to correct your statement that those comments where made and based on no experience.

I noticed you got into herps about 5 yrs ago and you are what, about 18-19 yrs old? Wow that's pretty cool, how long have you been into hots?

i have been bit twice by a black and a cotton. the people that get bit deal with many hot species. they do not know the specific personalites of each species. that is how i got bit by playing with a mamba. 61 viles of anti venom later and i dont deal with any very dangerous hots besides cobras. i can tell when they will bite and i stay clear of there personal"space" as not to threaton them. i know many 50+year olds dealing with a single hot species that never got bit:)