How many...

[Eddie_Z]

...of you people own hots!!?? I gotta know about owning them! I don't want one, I just have a lot of curiousity questions.

[emroul]

I have owned quite a few in the past, but currently I own one- a Tiger rattlesnake. He's the greatest hot I've had so far. I've never even seen vipers and cobras and such in real life because here in Arizona they are illegal to keep.

What are your questions?

Jennifer

[Eddie_Z]

Actually, a couple of my questions are along the same lines as those that Jen (Ginevive) had. She asked are they scary to own? Is it tough to own a snake that you can't really handle? Have you ever had any close calls in terms of being bitten? I also wondered things like how do you care for them in terms of cleaning tanks, changing water, feeding & things of that nature? Do you not feel like it can be a big risk to own them? What I mean by that is, what happens if one escapes & is roaming around inside the house? Isn't this a HUGE cause for concern for the members of the house? What about if they escape & get outside into the community?

I am NOT trying to be at all judgemental, it just seems as though owning a hot is extremely dangerous not only for the owner themself but for the people around the owner.

[freakoverdose1]

well, thats why you take precautions. Like locking the enlosure very well, and keeping them in a locked room. And sealing every possible known hole, crack and crevice with anything from clothe to caulk. Giving no one the keys to your enclosures or your room. It would only be a huge concern if you didn't take precautions and if you didn't know what you were doing. If they escape? they can't escape, you can't let that happen because if it does and it hurts someone, you are to blame and thats one more point for them and not us.
In terms of cleaning, water, and feeding. You must take them out to clean if bad enough where you can't get it out with a shield and scoop. to feed, rodents and such in the enclosure, never out.
Most hot owners keep snake bite protocols in there hot room since there is a chance of being bitten.

I am not an experienced hot owner but have read numerous things about them and their husbandry.

[freakoverdose1]

And I am sure jen can help you with anything more...