For North American residents, I'd amend the suggested 10-list by deleting all the non-New World exotics (no Atheris, no Aspidelaps, etc). That way any bite would at least be partly treatable with your local-hospital NA Crotalid polyvalent antivenom.



I'd further amend the list by keeping off any arboreals, due to husbandry issues and also their surprising reach.



I'd add things with fairly low yield and toxicity like Atropoides (way under-rated), Porthidium, Cerrophidion.



I'd take viridis off the list - too big, hot, and nasty. Anything over about 30 inches would be off my list.



Basically I'd populate the list with animals that are easy to keep as both neonates and adults, probably won't kill you or maim you too bad, and are fairly inexpensive (so if the newbie doesn't end up liking the risk he won't be too unwilling to part with the animal on any terms, including simple giveaway).



Just my .02.

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