Have someone teach you how to safely handle, it's better for you, as well as the snake. Get a permit if required. Copperhead's are good beginner snakes, however, just because they aren't as toxic as a rattlesnake or cobra DOES NOT mean it isn't capable of inflicting a dangerous bite. You can NEVER become complacent around these animals. As far as getting cheaper housing or equipment, keeping venomous snakes is an expensive hobby, if you can't afford to properly house and feed the snakes, you shouldn't own them. You should NEVER shortchange the snakes well being just for the sake of keeping a hot snake. If one is going to keep ANY animal, you should be able to provide it with the same type of environment that it would have in the wild, if not, it's not fair to the animal. Remember, animals don't have a choice of who their owner's are, but we do have a choice of whether or not we are capable of PROVIDING for an animal.

Good luck.

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