Posted by:
Drosera
at Tue Aug 23 22:59:02 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Drosera ]
Well, I'll try to explain it the best I can. Each species of snake has it's own set of reflexes, patterns of speed and movement, preferred prey items, preferred habitat, different thought pattern (or lack thereof) etc. So by default, since they're all different species, of course they're different.
It isn't that all venomous snakes are incorrigible, untameable ferocious creatures compared to meek and docile little non-venomous snakes. The elapids (Cobras, mambas taipans etc), are fast moving, intelligent (for snakes) and quite venomous. They're frankly scary. But then if you look at some other examples, Western Hognoses are venomous (not dangerously, just rearfanged and technically venomous), but quite docile while non-venomous racers and some tree boas can be ferocious.
It's basically the potential for damage that sets the two groups apart. If (to offer a huge hypothetical) cobras and copperheads were naturally non-venomous and held no more danger than a cornsnake, they'd probably be popular pets, freely handled among enthusiasts.
But back in our non-hypothetical world, ill tempered whitelip pythons are acclimated to handling and made model citizens out of, while the most meek of venomous is given (by the wise) a hands off approach not due to a ferocious nature, but the potentially lethal risk of a single bite.
Hope that ramble made sense. If you're still looking for a gorgeous snake to admire from a hands off perspective, there are plenty of non-venomous that while they can't do you serious harm, they can still stare through you and have a marvelous intensity.
-----
0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human
[ Hide Replies ]
- me again - amayon, Mon Aug 22 18:24:39 2005
|
Temperments and - Drosera, Tue Aug 23 22:59:02 2005