Venomous Handling

[Rob]

Really i dont see a difference in handling a non venomous and a venomous.

Well one minor difference I'm guessing you overlooked is with one bite you go "ouch that kinda hurt" and the other you end up in the hospital or dead.

[reptileexperts]

There is Definitely a difference! BUT the outcome can be the same given proper technique and respect. Reading a snake is a big part of it, and some species just can't be read, I've been fortunate to read Crots, but most of the time, they are the most unpredictable new world rattler you can run into. Always keep your wits

[kon1]

Ive been handling venomous reptiles for about four years. Never been bitten and i hope to keep it that way

[jcoylesr76]

well i have had my share of hots, (gaboons, Rhino's, coppers, and rattlers), and although i loved them and respected them, i felt i was getting to comfy with them, and chose to sell them off, knowing it is a Russian Roulette, no matter how careful and how well you do, one day it is gonna bite you. then all hell is gonna break loose, i am not harping or what not, i wish you and everyone who works with them the best in the world. i just felt i was getting to at ease with them to continue. cool pics though.

[Royal Hijinx]

I will move Rattlers off the trail depending on their size and what I have on hand to move them. that is the extend of my wild handling. I do it to protect them from idiots that will kill them. 9.5/10 they move along on their own so it is a non issue.

[John1982]

There is Definitely a difference! BUT the outcome can be the same given proper technique and respect. Reading a snake is a big part of it, and some species just can't be read, I've been fortunate to read Crots, but most of the time, they are the most unpredictable new world rattler you can run into. Always keep your wits

I think the operative word here is CAN. Reading snakes is never 100%, I don't care who you are and what you're experience is, and when it comes to hots you might not get a second chance. I've moved plenty of hots to keep them from being killed, I've done this taking no chance of being tagged by showing these animals the respect I think they deserve. I believe doing otherwise is just irresponsible and the handler is not the only one at risk here. What about the kid who sees someone free handling hots then tries to do the same? You can tell them "don't try this at home" as much as you like but as far as most kids go - monkey see, monkey do..

[zeion97]

I think the operative word here is CAN. Reading snakes is never 100%, I don't care who you are and what you're experience is, and when it comes to hots you might not get a second chance. I've moved plenty of hots to keep them from being killed, I've done this taking no chance of being tagged by showing these animals the respect I think they deserve. I believe doing otherwise is just irresponsible and the handler is not the only one at risk here. What about the kid who sees someone free handling hots then tries to do the same? You can tell them "don't try this at home" as much as you like but as far as most kids go - monkey see, monkey do..

A little lesson from Steve Irwin... Never trust a hot... or a Croc..lol

Hots aren't like other snakes... Facing down a king cobra.. Now that is something I wish to only do with glass in the way.. it really does get your adrenaline flowing.

MY turning point with hots (deciding NOT to get one...) was not only starting a family, but have a Gaboon viper take a bite at me... THAT scared me..

[reptileexperts]

And again, it's definitely not something for everyone, and there are a few people who can and should even attempt to mess with them on a regular basis. Most Zoo's have extremely organized systems to get hots to return to hide boxes in order to clean caging and what not, thus eliminating the need to even touch them with the exception of medical related issues.

Monkey see monkey do can be a huge problem. Fortunately, I've never had someone come up to me a few weeks after my lectures and tell me their son or daughter tried to catch a copperhead, nearly any time I hear from a previous student it's always been "oh I saw this snake and learned how to respect it and know what it was so I just watched it until it slithered away" or "Your lectures helped me understand what I deal with in the wild, and now I know not to kill these beautiful animals that once scared me". These are best case scenarios, sure, but the outcome for me is what drives me to continue working with these animals whenever I get the chance, again, this may just be me reflecting back on learning from watching and listening to Steve Irwin (monkey see monkey do again?).

[cecilbturtle]

I've handled them. I have done removals from homes and yards. I have even spent time "apprenticing" with some experts. So its news to me that they are the same as handling non venomous. I must have missed that study.

I wish i could find someone to work with again. I am beyond fascinated!

[jcoylesr76]

A little lesson from Steve Irwin... Never trust a hot... or a Croc..lol

Hots aren't like other snakes... Facing down a king cobra.. Now that is something I wish to only do with glass in the way.. it really does get your adrenaline flowing.

MY turning point with hots (deciding NOT to get one...) was not only starting a family, but have a Gaboon viper take a bite at me... THAT scared me..

in my dealings, i was not as concerned with the gaboon strike as i was the rhino vipers, university of penn, which i lived fairly close to at the time had all the anti-venom i needed for all the others except rhino's. then looking further into it, the fines, and medical costs would have killed me just as fast.