Keeping venomous snakes?

[Arcapello]

Just out of curiousity, what's it like to keep venomous snakes?
Do you keep them more as a "trophy pet", or do you actually get them out?
Have you ever been bitten by one of your venomous reptiles?
What state/country do you live in (if you keep them)/do you need a permit, or not?

I'm new to snake keeping in general, and just enjoy learning about different reptiles.

[ChrisS]

First I must say I don't personally own any venomous, but have friends that do and I occasionally help with cleaning feeding and other chores. They are definitely display only pets, no handling unless needed. No I have never been bitten, but one person I know has been bitten by a copperhead. He spent 18 hours in the hospital and then had several weeks of pain. I live in North Carolina but the snakes are in SC where laws are almost non existent.

[Arcapello]

First I must say I don't personally own any venomous, but have friends that do and I occasionally help with cleaning feeding and other chores. They are definitely display only pets, no handling unless needed. No I have never been bitten, but one person I know has been bitten by a copperhead. He spent 18 hours in the hospital and then had several weeks of pain. I live in North Carolina but the snakes are in SC where laws are almost non existent.

Thanks! Not planning to get one (wouldn't want to put family/friends, or myself in danger), but I'm very curious about it.

[heathers*bps]

We have a few venomous species. They are only ever handled when removing from a cage for cleaning ( other than when our female gaboon had an RI and we had to administer medications ). We will dabble into breeding in the future when our axanthic and het axanthic diamondbacks are ready to breed.

Venomous keeping is not something to take lightly and needs years of ( proper ) experience. The only one that gets handled is our little hog nose

[reptileexperts]

Texas, kept venomous for 2 years with no issues. Only laws related are controlled snake permits for non-native venomous snakes. $20 annually, and it even covers your giants all in one lovely stamp

Mine were for neither leisure nor display. They were part of an education circuit I was preforming around Texas and traveled with me in display boxes for people to observe and learn from. They were handled when I needed for cleaning purposes. And also every so often for white box photography for ID marks as needed. But other than that they stayed off of display in my collection, remained in locked enclosures, and were closely monitored daily to ensure no escapes, trauma, or the likes.

Not something to just jump into as others have put. It's a risky business and the question is not if you get bit but more of when. . . . still contemplating adding a Coral Cobra to my collection soon though . . .

[ChrisS]

. . . still contemplating adding a Coral Cobra to my collection soon though . . .

You must share a pic if you get one.

And to the OP, I know I've already posted on here once but one thing I'd like to share is follow your passion, just be smart about it. Whether you only stick to bps or decide a king cobra in is the forecast, learn everything there is to learn ( like you are already doing). Be safe, be smart, and never let your guard down and working with hots is very rewarding.

[Arcapello]

Texas, kept venomous for 2 years with no issues. Only laws related are controlled snake permits for non-native venomous snakes. $20 annually, and it even covers your giants all in one lovely stamp

Mine were for neither leisure nor display. They were part of an education circuit I was preforming around Texas and traveled with me in display boxes for people to observe and learn from. They were handled when I needed for cleaning purposes. And also every so often for white box photography for ID marks as needed. But other than that they stayed off of display in my collection, remained in locked enclosures, and were closely monitored daily to ensure no escapes, trauma, or the likes.

Not something to just jump into as others have put. It's a risky business and the question is not if you get bit but more of when. . . . still contemplating adding a Coral Cobra to my collection soon though . . .

Thanks for all the information. It's really cool that you teach people about them I'm probably never going to get any, but it's interesting to hear about all of the people who do, and why they do.

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You must share a pic if you get one.

And to the OP, I know I've already posted on here once but one thing I'd like to share is follow your passion, just be smart about it. Whether you only stick to bps or decide a king cobra in is the forecast, learn everything there is to learn ( like you are already doing). Be safe, be smart, and never let your guard down and working with hots is very rewarding.

I may eventually get one, but not for another 10+ years... My BP is definitely enough for now. Thanks for the tips. And x2 on the pic sharing.

- - - Updated - - -

We have a few venomous species. They are only ever handled when removing from a cage for cleaning ( other than when our female gaboon had an RI and we had to administer medications ). We will dabble into breeding in the future when our axanthic and het axanthic diamondbacks are ready to breed.

Venomous keeping is not something to take lightly and needs years of ( proper ) experience. The only one that gets handled is our little hog nose

Western or eastern? Don't know much about hognoses, but I've seen pics of western, and they're super cute. They seem really curious, too. I'm definitely going to be getting one in the future.
I looked at your pics, and your snakes are amazing!

[heathers*bps]

[/QUOTE]Western or eastern? Don't know much about hognoses, but I've seen pics of western, and they're super cute. They seem really curious, too. I'm definitely going to be getting one in the future.
I looked at your pics, and your snakes are amazing![/QUOTE]

Are you asking about the diamondbacks? They are western. I would love to get an eastern. They can get massive!

Hoggies are pretty fun little things. They feel like venomous snakes ( their scales are more ruff ) but are pretty sweet. I love some of the morphs coming out in hognose too

[Arcapello]

Western or eastern? Don't know much about hognoses, but I've seen pics of western, and they're super cute. They seem really curious, too. I'm definitely going to be getting one in the future.
I looked at your pics, and your snakes are amazing![/QUOTE]

Are you asking about the diamondbacks? They are western. I would love to get an eastern. They can get massive!

Hoggies are pretty fun little things. They feel like venomous snakes ( their scales are more ruff ) but are pretty sweet. I love some of the morphs coming out in hognose too [/QUOTE]

I've heard that the hognoses will act like the most dangerous snake in the world, when in reality, they're mostly harmless. Sounds hilarious