Venomous

[Skiploder]

Ok, so now the "Not great parent" as Bowser11788 put is going to add a little to the conversation.

My son is young, he is only 14, but he is extremely passionate about these wonderful reptiles, and very impatient to grow up and be able to do what he dreams of which is becoming involved in the conservation efforts of venomous species in the US which don't seem to have much of a voice.

He is interested in cage designs for "hots" because he plans to have them someday down the road. Not tomorrow as some of you seem to believe. I have taught him to plan, research, and learn all he can first hand before beginning any new project.

In 7 years he has gone from owning 1 ball python to owning several species, breeding some, and spending as much time as possible taking these fantastic creatures out in public to give demonstrations, especially to younger kids, in an effort to make the next generation understand that these are not evil beings.

Skiploader called him "a 14 year old with a bad case of the "know-it-alls" He is by no means a know-it-all, but occassionally comes across that way when he is once again treated like he doesn't know anything.

He has been fighting for years to try to get people to take him seriously, and he had come to think that on this forum he would be. When he meets with obstacles he tends to go a bit overboard as only a teenager could, but most of that is due to the frustration he feels because of the struggles he goes through to just try to get advice from people he respects.

As for hands on experience, he is constantly looking for new opportunities. He has become involved at the zoo in our area, and will be attending a rattlesnake symposium in April at the invitation of a researcher in our area. I am not a bad parent, and would never allow him to get into hots until I know he is ready (which will definitely be longer than he hopes!).

But, please do not ignore his questions or requests just because of his age. I do believe he will be deep into hots at some point, and I'd like to know that he got "good" advice from those of you that are "in-the-know"
He will not be replying to this post again.

I'm going to take you on your word that you are the parent.......who knows you may be, you may not be............

As a parent of two children and as a person who has been keeping snakes (even a few hot species) over the last few decades I would be royally pissed at any idiot who gave either of my kids advice on how to build a cage for venomous snake. So should you. There are plenty of idiots out there who own hots, who frequent forums (or even Moderate on them) and who would cheerfully lead you child down a bad path. You will find few of them here.

You son did not mention a time frame for his acquisition and no one in their right mind here is going to give a 14-year old child the plans on how to affordably construct a hot enclosure.

I said and so have others - there is nothing wrong with a 14 year old wanting to learn about hots. That kid needs to spend many, many years apprenticing under someone who has spent many, many years keeping these animals before he should even begin to consider how to best construct a cage or where to buy the best one.

Your son's assertion that his practicing with a hook on a corn snake and a boid makes him ready for a hot is ridiculous and was called out as such. Additionally your son made the bold statement that YOU were working on a permit for acquiring one...........I think it's great that you have now stated that he won't be acquiring one anytime soon but in the same breath - what experience do you have with hots? Who are you - other than his parent - to make the determination that he's ready?

The person who should make that decision will be the mentor he finally hooks up with, and by the time that mentor imparts enough knowledge on your child to render that decision - he will no longer be a child and no longer be under your guardianship.

As for getting advice from people in the know, here's my advice to you: neither of you should be looking for advice on a forum - even a hot forum. Your kid should be getting advice from his eventual mentor, not a bunch of faceless people who don't know your son and who won't assume any responsibility for the potentially deadly consequences of his immaturity and his impatience.

As for not replying to this post again: I would suggest as a parent that he be encouraged to address his own position instead of being encouraged to pack up his toys and storm out in a huff.

Your son has given every indication that he is well on his way to acquiring hots. Your son has made silly statements about his experience and readiness for this acquisition. Your son has expressed impatience at his inability to hook up with a mentor.

Your son has given every indication on this board that he is a typical 14 year old who is dead set on getting what he wants at the expense of sound advice. Instead of coming here and chiding people who attempted to cool his jets, maybe you should do some research of you own and find out exactly how serious of a situation he could get himself into. Got any idea on how much it will cost you if he gets tagged by either of the species he listed as wanting to own? Got any idea on that your insurance coverage probably doesn't cover these expenses?

That's just the tip of the iceberg. Your son has many years ahead of him of learning and maturing. Encourage the process. Building a cage is not part of the process. Acquiring a permit is not part of the process. Proclaiming his hook and tailing skills are up to snuff because he can handle a corn snake without being bit is not part of the process. Reading coupled with hands on experience with someone willing to teach him respect, patience, procedure and protocol is.

Once he's down that road, he will look back on this thread and see how silly and immature his comments were.