Resources/Advice for Vipers

[Bogertophis]

Questions for you (the OP), Maximus: Do you have health insurance? Do you have any idea how expensive it is to treat a venomous bite, with or without antivenin?

Not to mention that your survival doesn't always mean you'll be "just as good as new". I do hope you've thought about that?

Venomous species deserve the same level of care as non-venomous ones. They deserve to be taken seriously, not purchased on a whim, and they're not there to serve as anyone's personal challenge, nor discarded when another "shiny new object" comes along. Caring for venomous species can be even more tedious than harmless pets, because they're hands-off. As non-native venomous species, they're also not something you can share educationally with others in a public "show & tell" program. Safety of others comes first.

I sometimes mention to those wanting to own a giant snake species, it's one thing to admire a creature & be fascinated by it's every move- but it's quite another to actually live with it. As far as that goes, have you thought about what keeping such snakes will mean, not just for your immediate future, but for many years ahead? It will limit where you can live, & will likely limit your social circle- some will want to hang out with you "just because", but others will change direction & have nothing to do with you. It may cost you a lot of money, and may also make you a target of theft, especially if you tell the wrong person (or the wrong person hears about you from another). Exotic species are black-market gold. Just so you're prepared.

There's a good reason that we (the "community" of snake & other reptile-keepers) are concerned when someone expresses their intent to get venomous snakes, especially when it appears they are far too inexperienced to do so safely: what each of us does reflects on others, in the mind of the public & when it comes to passing laws restricting things or outright banning them. Every time there's an "accident" with such an animal, it puts all of our endeavors at risk- even keeping harmless snakes. I hope you understand this? Most people already hate snakes...every incident that makes the news where snakes were mishandled or escaped (& especially when medical care is required-!) gives many people more incentive to push for laws banning them.

Have you thought about working in a zoo with them instead of trying to personally own them? Maybe you should.