So are they really as mean as they appear

whatever species of rattlers used by the various offshoots of baptist churches that practice snake handling seem to be pretty darn relaxed about being handled. Yeah, they bite sometimes.

From my experiences with wild venomous snakes, I'd be more than willing to bet that there are venomous species that are calmer and less agressive and there are species that are more agressive, and it can't be judged by looks.

I've never met a nice water moccasin/cottonmouth. Any that I have come anywhere near to have shown aggression.

I have met many "nice" copperheads, or at least, they certainly didn't mind being picked up by a nice long stick and moved off the foot path.

I'm fairly convinced that cobras are relatively calm hots, but have no personal experience other than seeing them around other people and in zoos. The biggie, probably a 10+ footer king, that they had at the houston zoo back when I was 7 was pretty unconcerned when his daily cage cleaner walked around the cage with a spray bottle and wiped down the glass walls. And whenever cobras do get defensive, they have just about the slowest strike speed of any snake I've ever seen strike on TV or elsewhere.

I would go ahead and agree with most people on that hots are like all other snakes and animals. They have a breaking point but as was stated in a previous post (Can't remember who said it) sorry! Getting bit by a hot will send you to the ER in most cases. I moved a little rattler off a path at a zoo in Tennessee by hand but seeming as he was in a cool shaded area I thought he would probably be less likely to strike as opposed to having a nice high body temp.

My sister however I don't know where this place is in Arizona (sorry again) but has handled a few cobras there and said they were as docile as her ball... just wouldn't wanna take a hit from one.

In conclusion haha I agree, I absolutely do NOT under any circumstance advocate or recommend keeping hots. However I would kill to see a fer de lance up close :)

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

whatever species of rattlers used by the various offshoots of baptist churches that practice snake handling seem to be pretty darn relaxed about being handled. Yeah, they bite sometimes.

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The snakes they use are usually timber rattlesnakes and copperheads. sometimes they bring cottonmouths and other times they bring in the big boys (mambas, cobras, gaboons, etc).

I have a western d back and he is the meanest snake I have ever had.

he will strike at your shadow.

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Originally Posted by V1L3 DiaL3cT

My sister however I don't know where this place is in Arizona (sorry again) but has handled a few cobras there and said they were as docile as her ball... just wouldn't wanna take a hit from one.

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Please elaborate... I am very curious. Also please check you PM and respond ASAP.

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Originally Posted by andwhy6

i don't know much about them but i would have to think it all depends on the type of hot. for instance i have a buddy that has a forest cobra that is very docile and i have had no problem holding but i have never known anyone to own a rattler or viper and actually handle them. I think cobras are the way to go if your thinking bout getting a venomous snake.

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you had no problem holding the forest cobra ? i would take a guess that it was a venomoid cobra. right ? cobras are the way to go if you want a venomous snake wouldn't be the best advise if you ask me. cobras are fast and can be very aggressive and forest cobras are known to be aggressive which makes me think your friends is a venomoid that he handles like a non venomous snake. i see you are in Washington i believe you need permits to keep venomous snakes.

someone said that their sister got to handle cobras in at a place in az ? what places would that be, a zoo or something like that, i don't see a person just letting people come in and handle venomous snakes for no reason if they don't work at the place. that would be a lawsuit waiting to happen..

like it was said snakes are different and some are more laid back, gaboons are one but if you are in range and they want to bite you they wont miss. they are not snakes to be held or played with. a bite could kill you even from copperheads which are not normally fatal but the bite results in a lot of amputations.


there are hots that are better to start out with then others, copperheads, pygmy rattlers. its best to stay away from arboreal hots, gaboons, puff adders, mambas, cobras are not ones to start with.

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Originally Posted by Nightmare Creatures

Ok, most have covered this very well.

I will ad a few things here.

First off, tame is not a word around most herpers. There is no such thing as tame with reptiles, or really any animal. There are just different degrees of tolerance. Some are more tolerant then others, just like people.....LOL

As far as the mean look, that is mainly only in vipers. Some of the most venomous snakes on earth are also the ones that look harmless. Some look like normal ratsnakes, like a corn without fancy colors or patterns.

Yes in the venomous community there are some snakes that are concidered "beginner". They include Copperheads, due to the lower toxicity and available antivenin, among the most tolerant of dealings is the Gaboon Viper.....believe it or not they are very unlikely to strike at a person with normal dealings, however it would only take once to make things ugly in a hurry, and the Timber Rattlesnake.....timbers have good attitudes as far as rattlers go.

There again, NO venomous snake is "handleable".....period, just no way to treat the snake and a very large lack of responsibility.

I in NO WAY shape or form condone HOT keeping.

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dont you keep hots?

Venomous snakes are as unpredictable as any other snake. The consequences of that unpredictability separate them from non-venomous snakes. Any one of our snakes could--for any reason suitable to them--strike. The bite of a kingsnake or ball python, however, presents quite a different set of results from the bite of any viper or elapid.

I've seen some talk about cobras being docile and just want to say that cobras in particular are very intelligent snakes. Many captive cobras reach the rough equivalent of a "cease-fire" with their keepers, but this is no guarantee of consistency. Anything can cause a defense reaction in a wild animal and these are ALL wild animals. Gaboon vipers are no picnic either. They appear very slow and amiable at times. Mess with them on a bad day though and you're in serious trouble. The only "mean" venomous snake I've ever encountered was a very pissed off cottonmouth who had just been roused from a peaceful slumber by a very foolish gentleman. I've only observed mambas being handled and don't intend to take part in that any time soon, but these supposedly "mean" snakes are--from my observation and conversations with keepers--extremely nervous snakes. With proper handling they can be kept with relative safety for both parties.

Bottom line, these are not vicious animals that can never be kept. These are animals which should be approached and handled only with the greatest care and respect. Sheesh, do I sound preachy or what? Sorry.

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Originally Posted by TKR Reptiles

dont you keep hots?

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Hi Trent!

Yes I am a retired HOT keeper. Most of us do not condone keeping of HOTs.....just because I do doesnt mean you should type of thing.

how would you tell someone else they shouldnt keep a venomous snake if you do ? what makes it ok for you to do it and not someone else ? most people could learn how to handle hots. i have never told anyone they could never own one, if i could do it then they could to. there are some people that shouldnt have them for reasons like experience or beause they think it would be cool but other then that. i dont understand how you would tell someone they should not own one but you should ? what makes you better then them ?