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does anyone know of any vipers or elapids whose bites would not do you any serious harm (less than a copperhead)

bc

Your question leads me to believe that if you are looking for a safe "pet" venomous snake, you should probably consider a species that is NOT venomous at all. Realize this, any venomous snake can be potentially life threatening depending on where you get bit and your sensitivity level to that particular species' venom. I know you are looking for specific suggestions and LD50 factors will not indicate what species can be safely kept...I would recommend a non venomous reptile.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>does anyone know of any vipers or elapids whose bites would not do you any serious harm (less than a copperhead)
>>
>>bc
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I’m with Carmichael in that you sound like you are looking for a “safer” venomous. I agree that’s not a good idea but here is my take. (I am assuming you are old enough) Why not consider a copperhead? Check out the classifieds right now Mark Lucas has southern copperheads for $35.00. Look at the picture, that is a highly underrated snake for beauty in my opinion. You could hardly start out with a better snake to maintain for getting into keeping a venomous. Forget about finding one less venomous to work with. When you really factor in all the advantages I can’t see how you beat a good ol’ “Highland Mocassin”, I still think they are pretty cool. By the way, I tried following up on the guy who was bitten on the ankle and died, still no results but they are now wondering if it was a heart attack brought on by the anxiety of the bite and not the envenomation. Results should be known soon....I apologize for not answering your question directly.

i have been considering a copperhead for some time but have read mixed reports on there toxicity i have read accounts of people being envenomated and just sitting back and dealing with the pain and swelling and being fine in a week but have also read of amputations and paralyzed joints my goal is to keep a hot that in a worst case scenario i need not deal with a $20,000 med bill and we need not deal with bad press and more gay legislation

thanks bc

There are a few elapids from Australia that are considered harmless, but Australian snakes are hard to come by. The harmless elapids will be even harder as they are small snakes which won't feed on mice and probably don't do well in captivity.

I think there are also some small vipers that are considered harmless, but they too probably won't be mouse feeders and may not do well in captivity.
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

People have been known to have bad reactions to western hognose bites. So like they already said it all depends on many factors.

do you have any names?

I can think of one I'm not sure of its toxicity it's the bandy bandy unfortunantly, they are specially desined for eating blind snakes and you can't get them here in america. I named this species because it's not to aggressive but it's still not a beginner snake due to its diet... just throwin a species out because you asked:]

krefft's dwarf snake
golden crowned snake
whip snakes (Demansia)
white lipped snake
red naped snake
pale headed snake
bandy bandy

I sure there are plenty more, I recall seeing a very long list once. As stated, you will never find any of these outside of Australia.
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

If you want an 'elapid like' snake that is mildly venomous (so much so that in parts of the USA it is considered harmless)...Then go for a False Water Cobra.

It spreads a hood, gets to a respectable (over 9 ft) size and tames rather easily. Take care that they have a strong feeding response but pretty much calm down and are handleable after being hooked out of their cage.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

If your referring to the whole hognose thing, i read in a book on keeping snakes and they mention the hognose being "somewhat" venomous and his friend let a hognose chew on his hand and experienced local swelling and maybe some other minor symptoms.

Many members of the genus vipera (the european adder Vipera berus)have very mild venom. They can be very difficult to aquire in the US. Also the rinkhals Hemeachatus heamechatus cobra has a fairly mild venom compaired to othe elapids. It is however a spitter and eats frogs in captivity. I too would recomend a captive bred copperhead or mabe a pigmy rattlesnake or a sidewinder even. Don't rush into venomous snakes take your time. Keep some really mean amozon tree boas and cribos , racers, watersnakes , a reaaly nasty blood python. Thats what I have done. Also try to aquire a permit if nessasary in your state. It makes the hobby look bad if people keep animals iligitemately (as dumb as the laws are its alway better to try and follow them).
I hope this is helpful

Bryant