Okay... lots of stuff, go into this news story about Michael Peterman's death.

First off... a lesson in news media. Journalists, editors, and yes, producers, are completely STUPID. They're braindead, they have NO CLUE...

And I mean about anything... I don't care what the story is... if you REALLY check it out, you find one grain of truth buried under a TON of utter crap.

So... with that understanding out of the way...

Here's my understanding of what happened.

First off... Michael Peterman was quite experienced with snakes of all flavors, and in fact, was Dayton Ohio Fire Department's main guy for 'snake emergency' calls.

Secondly... any of us with ANY real intersts... know that 'being an expert' isn't a big red S on our chest, no matter the subject... the best shortstops fumble easy grounders once in a while... the best CAN have a bad day... and this includes amateur or professional herp-keepers.

Risk is part of the game, if you want to keep a hot snake.

Wise folks, know how to minimize those risks to a large degree, and act responsibly. I believe Mr. Peterman was one of those people who was responsible.

It was, pure and simple... an accident... Given all of the articles (4) that I've read from the Dayton Daily news (Run a search on Michael Peterman, and you'll get those articles to read for yourself on their site)

I think it could've been just as easy as a lapse in concentration, and everyone is subject to that... a slip of the hook, something in the eye, a sudden sneeze... ANYTHING can cause this. Even a loud noise that startles you.

After Mr. Peterman died... another snake expert went to get that rhino viper, to be taken to another facility where it would be cared for well.

That snake expert, whose brother runs the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade, KY... said even HE almost got nailed by the rhino viper during the process of removal.

Anti-venom supply... Folks... I don't think that was a huge issue... even according to the man that 'rescued' the viper after its owner passed away... UC medical center had some...

(Remember gang... The Cincinnati Zoo, one of the best around, is less than a half mile from UC medical center... and I'm sure the Zoo would like to assure the survival of their keepers if THEY get zapped)

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo, also had quite a supply on hand as well, and it is less than two hours from UC, via helicopter... so spare anti-venom would not be a problem there.

Fact is... the rhino viper is simply put, one dangerous customer... and keeping one is a risky proposition.

Nothing more, nothing less...

Would I keep one? Personally... NO... I'm NOT a trained snakekeeper. I have not studied with well trained persons and gained the skills and knowledge necessary for that kind of a responsibility.

Would I attempt to execute a safe capture of one if it posed a threat?

Yes... with extreme caution... long sticks/brooms, etc... and one very secure container... and first... I WOULD wear snake proof boots/chaps... and second... damn right... I wouldn't get ANY of my bitable parts anywhere near the thing, nor allow the snake to get near em.

Then it would be up to the experts to come and pick it up to give it a safe home.

This is a time, where snake-keepers NEED to speak with great calm and deliberately, to get the facts out... and to give people sound information. And to advise un-trained people to get sound training from within the recognized herp community, BEFORE they EVER dream of getting a dangerous snake.

The reasons are simple...
1.) For the wellbeing of the keeper...
2.) For the wellbeing of the public at large
3.) Last but never least... the well being of the snake.

Take care,
Paul

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