First I wanna send a big I'm =( for you, to the Peterman family...and then go on to say that personally only keeping a cobra and a pair of African puff adders for a short period of time really doesn't give me the right to post...but after getting rid of the hots that I did have for about a yr.1/2, I can honestly say that these guys(hot snakes) are a whole different hobbie in thereselves 1. What fun is a reptile if you can't handle it? 2. What fun is a reptile if you have to use some type of grabbing device to handle or feed you reptile...? 3.What fun is there in admiring their colors through tempered glass(that my puff adders would strike at as soon as you got with in striking range)instead of holding and admiring...? 4. I know there are some out there that enjoy a good strike on a rodent just to watch it turn into food...but,just like all other animals out there they have to eat...=) I agree with oldherpers reponse we need more experience in keeping and handling...I mean suppose some of these Hot handlers were to learn how to milk there collection and sell anti venom so that a death like Mr. Petermans could have been avoided,exam. anti-venom a little closer to home...? If that's allowed, or if these handlers are not to scared to handle what they have to help out the growing population of hot collectors out there...? All in all I personally think that Hots should be left for the food chain where ever they originate from and that way all other non venomous reptiles/herpers can enjoy what they have without the worry of it all being banned throughout the US...=) (In my defense as you read this book/reply this is my opinion and you know what they say...(*)everybody has one...LOL!!! laterzzzzzzz

[ Show Entire Thread ]