question????

Easy husbandry? When you get into hots you should have enough experience to not have to worry about difficult husbandry issues... unless you're working with barometric pressure difference over a 24hr period ;)

I've handled Eurasian Vipers (Vipera berus) and Western Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma and both are relatively small vipers. Have to be very careful... I'd rather handle something bigger (well, not a Bothrops asper) because I'd have more time to react.

i think for a begininer hot,so to speak,i would do maybe an eyelash,or a mangrove something that isnt AS deadly,though they lack the size i am most comfortable with during my stage in training

I don't know about Mangroves... quite aggressive. I think the best beginners might be terrestrial vipers with a relatively good temperament. Maybe Agkistrodon or other rattlers.

ill i know, is after hearing the story about the guy with his PHD in herps who has been working with HOTs longer than ive been alive, im not too sure i would own a WDB at all. i really like the way they look but the risk isn't worth it.

research research research!!!

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I don't know about Mangroves... quite aggressive. I think the best beginners might be terrestrial vipers with a relatively good temperament. Maybe Agkistrodon or other rattlers.

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but,if i'm not mistaken,outside of a bad reaction,a mangrove really isnt deadly either,which,to me is a good thing in a starter hot:)

When working with hots you should be able to have enough confidence not to have to worry about which one would kill you quicker or just make you sick. As long as you train right and take all the safety percautions you shouldnt get bitten. Iknow bites happen but usually its because keepers start lacking. I know ive done it. But thats why I would never keep as many hots and I do nonvenomous becuase I know I would get slack and accidents would happen. I only keep copperheads at the moment but I would love to add some rhinos, gaboons, and some cobras. But Not until I get a lot more experience

The best starter hot though if there is a such thing is the one that your local hospital has antivenom for!

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Originally Posted by denial

the best starter hot though if there is a such thing is the one that your local hospital has antivenom for!

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lol!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Denial

The best starter hot though if there is a such thing is the one that your local hospital has antivenom for!

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lol,,couldnt be any more cut and dry then this,lol