How did you get involved with "hots"?

I have a question and I, in no way what-so-ever mean any disrespect in any way, shape, or form. I'm just curious...

So, I've only been a snake owner for about 4-5 months. I myself got a ball python. I was a little afraid of snakes before, but have come to admire them a great deal. In researching, and trying to learn as much about them as I can, I've come across hots being discussed on several occaisions. While I personally find some of them absolutely and amazingly awe inspiring (I'm a fan of bush vipers and diamond back rattlesnakes), I don't believe I could ever own one. I don't feel I know enough about them that I could feel safe around them. I'm happy to look at them on youtube or maybe in a cage as I pass by.

As I said above, I mean no disprespect for those of you who have or have had hots. My question is, what got you started with them? Is the danger appealing, or is it just the appeal to the type of animal? I like a snake that I can take out and handle when I want to. I don't know that you can get that with a hot... not without hooks anyways...

I'm just curious and would love to hear "why", if that is something anyone would feel comfortable sharing.

No one? Think this would actually be interesting to hear as I was always interested in keeping hots from an early age, never made the jump. Be cool to hear how people got into it, first hot ect.


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I'm in on this as well. Always wanted to but other people in my life simply won't allow it lol. Defiantly have a strong appreciation for them .

Fascination, the same thing that draws most of us to ball pythons, Boas, retics, corn snakes, monitor lizards, geckos ect. I never got into them for the danger or the cool factor, it was just because I had a healthy respect and passion. and the short herping season here and long drive to find the good stuff, I wanted to see them whenever I wanted. I personally don't consider the less toxic hots such as pygmy rattlers, timber rattlers, copperheads, water moccasins for example to be any more dangerous than a large constrictor or monitor lizard. I have kept hots of 8 different species for almost 10 yeara with no incident or close calls for that matter.
I feel like with the respect they deserve and common sense, many species make amazing captives.
Now the down side. You always take a risk. Even if it's a 1 in 10000000000 chance you will get bot, there is a chance. My children come in my snake room only a few times a year because I am.over cautious. I have a self locking door and I have loed.my keys in several times. Ever try to find a pet sitter for your snakes? No how about when you have a potentially deadly animal in your snake room? If you do get bit, double check your health insurance policy, most will not cover antivenom for a captive snake. I would encourage anyone considering taking the plunge to really consider every aspect of it. When you are done risk taking and the cool factor had worn off, you arent going to be able to rehome your "pet" on Craigslist or online for that matter unless you go through the Delta airlines hastle.

I would assume it is more the scientific angle, rather than the pet aspect that is attractive to keepers. I get that impression from Viper Keeper. I enjoy his channel, and am a fan of Elvis.

I've been very distantly following the difficulties of the timber rattler, and the fungus that is killing so many off. I grew up in MA, and never even knew until recently that that state even had them, and now they are reportedly setting aside an island for them. I'm assuming (but haven't checked) that the relocation is to isolate some for bio-secureity (spell?). I sometimes post on a political forum that currently has a thread on this issue - it is OVERWHELMINGLY negative on the topic; I haven't even tried to suggest an alternative opinion.

Would never keep any hots myself. I am absent minded and clumbsey, but if I were to, I would look into that snake. Captive breeding might be a further assurance of its survival.

Out of curiosity, what would make you assume it's the scientific aspect? Is there anything other than viperkeepdr? I can't speak for many people. I only know a few people who keep hots

I have kept hots in significant numbers for over 13 years. Currently have 1 pair of very docile cobras and replaced all my other animals due to having a newborn kid in the house. I was a scientist back in the day and I have always been fascinated with reptiles since I was a kid. For me the height of this fascination were and are venomous snakes and large monitor lizards. I got into hots when I was 19 with a monocled cobra! I was stupid, inexperienced and was just following my fascination. Over the years and after 1 significant bite, I got experienced and understood the risks more over time yet my fascination with them never went away. Adrenalin rush and showing off was never the main driver for me. Venomous snakes are ,pure and simple, just cool! To this day since I was a kid, when I see a cobra hood up, I get excited. They are a symbol of pride for me.

I mean look at this:

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5334/s6mWqN.jpg

This was my leucistic monocled that I just rehomed and is the definition of amazing for me.

They are not for everyone. I would never let my son get a cobra before he was trained for a few years for example but for a responsible person, they are not more dangerous than keeping a gun or having a fast sports car. You just need to understand the risks and respect the animals.

Dang that's a gorgeous cobra.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Najakeeper

I have kept hots in significant numbers for over 13 years. Currently have 1 pair of very docile cobras and replaced all my other animals due to having a newborn kid in the house. I was a scientist back in the day and I have always been fascinated with reptiles since I was a kid. For me the height of this fascination were and are venomous snakes and large monitor lizards. I got into hots when I was 19 with a monocled cobra! I was stupid, inexperienced and was just following my fascination. Over the years and after 1 significant bite, I got experienced and understood the risks more over time yet my fascination with them never went away. Adrenalin rush and showing off was never the main driver for me. Venomous snakes are ,pure and simple, just cool! To this day since I was a kid, when I see a cobra hood up, I get excited. They are a symbol of pride for me.

I mean look at this:

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5334/s6mWqN.jpg

This was my leucistic monocled that I just rehomed and is the definition of amazing for me.

They are not for everyone. I would never let my son get a cobra before he was trained for a few years for example but for a responsible person, they are not more dangerous than keeping a gun or having a fast sports car. You just need to understand the risks and respect the animals.

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As someone who keeps guns, admires hots (but lacks the experience to keep one), and... well, okay, I don't really care about fast cars. Very well said! As I've had hammered into me since infancy: Always know where it's aimed, and always treat it like it's loaded. Leucistic monocles are one of the most amazingly beautiful creatures in the world - right up there with nudibranchs! (Some people might not agree, but nudibranchs are incredible!)

Najakeeper, that cobra is beautiful!!!

Really, thank you all for the replies. I too am fascinated by the hots. While I'm fascinated by them, and definitely respect them, I understand they just aren't for me. I will continue to watch and be amazed and in awe of them. It's funny to hear you when you say, the less venomous like copperheads. Growing up here in Pennsylvania, for as long as I can remember, that's been said to be "the deadliest snake there is".... well, I guess for around here, that's true. Now, after learning more about snakes, I know it can be a whole lot worse than a copperhead bite.

Thank you all for sharing. Now I'm going to have to go look at some more bush viper pictures. LOL

For me its been three fold.

1) the appreciation of the evolution there is within venomous reptiles
2) the passion for some of the most hated snakes (western diamondbacks in Texas have horrible fates typically when found)
3) Education.

I started keeping hots when I was around 20 (going on 30 this year) and started with neonate agkistrodons (cottonmouths and copperheads). I was asked to do a snake identification course for a lot of the local areas, and even decided to add a Crotalus atrox to the mix (Western Diamondback) to help give the show an even more powerful punch. It helps get a lot of attention because folks have a curiosity in regards to the venomous world, and it made the presentations that much more powerful.

From an evolutionary stand point, vipers are one of the most sophisticatedly evolved snakes in the world. From their complex venom structure, to their ability to fold their fangs, control the gland to produce dry bites or heavy bites. They pack heat seeking pits that give them the ability to see the world like "predator", and of course the evolution of a rattle inclusive. Elapids have had their own level of fascination with myself, I've admired cobras and enjoy seeing them and working with them from time to time, but keeping them has not been on my short list. They don't hold a lot of value to me when I do talks as most folks are focused on the ones they need to learn and want to be able to identify in their yards / neighborhoods / etc.

Keeping hots is a giant step for snake keepers and to do it right requires a lot of ground work with an experienced keeper. Learning how to properly use hooks / tongs. Feeding from forceps and staying out of reach. Learning and understanding striking range to always stay in the clear. Places for folks to start is to get a highly aggressive colubrid and treat it like a hot. Always use caution with it and use hooks / tools for everything. And anytime you take a bite from it, remind yourself "I could've died today".

At current, my wife and I keep a 3.5 year old Male Gila Monster, a 5 month old poss female Gila Monster. An adult Southern Copperhead (now eastern if the taxonomy stuff holds true), and our recent addition of a Trans-pecos Copperhead.

as with any reptile my fascination came from the genetic aspect. from the insane morphs to the pure locality derived looks I love them all. However with hots it was a matter of 1 not being afraid of snakes in general, and 2 in the right place at the right time. I started dealing with rattlers while living in AZ in 1999. We would occasionally come across one in my apartment complex. Since everyone knew I was the crazy snake guy I'd get the call to come see it. I'd bring a 5 gal bucket with a screw on lid and a walking stick. I didnt know jack about how to do it properly but I knew I didnt want someone killing it or a kid to get bit so i'd collect them up and drive about 45 minutes to the desert and release them. After some time doing that and taking the time to study them I became fascinated with the aspect of self immunization and the healing properties of certain proteins in snake venom. I currently keep a small collection of 22 venomous snakes along with my collection of retics, boas, and balls.