Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I'm not sure about all of us, but venomous snakes are why I got into reptiles in the first place. Unfortunately, they are illegal where I live, so I can't go to a show and get them, so I am limited to what I can catch. The worst part is that I have horrid horrid luck. I am almost 19 years old, and I have spent the majority of that searching wooded areas and the like for snakes. I am lucky to find a baby black rat. Fortunately, a friend of mine presented me with my first venomous snake today (I know the dangers and risks and intend to take the necessary precautions.) I am having some difficulty finding care information though, so I have a couple questions.

The snake brought to me was a timber rattlesnake, C horridus I believe. I have it in a large sterilite right now, but within the next two/three days I will be retrieving my 75 gallon tank and stand setup. I want to make this snake's setup as elaborate and effective as possible. Any advice on that would be immensely appreciated.

Also, what is the best way to have it sexed? I can't have many people do it, as they aren't legal in my area. I am not willing to get it out and pop/probe it either. Maybe in the future, but certainly not yet.

Heat, Humidity requirements? I am relatively sure what to keep them at, since the snake is a local species, but it is better safe than sorry.

I know it is unwise to keep illegal reptiles, and even more so to keep wildcaught. Venomous to top it off. However, venomous snakes are by far my favorite creatures, and in my opinion, the most deserving of admiration and respect. I intend to do everything and then some to ensure the snake's safety and my own. I would appreciate any advice or information on the species.

Also, if it can be visually sexed, and I come across a timber of the opposite sex, would a 75g tank be enough for them both? I never house reptiles together unless to breed, but I know rattlesnakes tend to den together, so I am curious as to whether or not they can be housed together. I know that housing 2 in the same enclosure doubles the possibility of something going wrong, but I always ask the "stupid questions" lol.

Thank you all for your replies and consideration. I look forward to being a part of this forum. My name is Kevin. A pleasure to meet you all.

Hey Kevin-
I am not entirely sure I understand all of your post. So, start with the illegal part. You live in a jusidiction that prohibits all venomous, or one that permits local venomous species only, or the Timber specifically prohibited?

I hate to present the typical "asshole" reply, so I'll try and do it as nicely as possible.

The questions you are asking are ones you should already know the answers to BEFORE you get the snake, as they are pretty basic husbandry related questions on a snake for which there is a decent amount of information available.

Secondly, from what I can gather from your post, venomous snakes are illegal to possess in your area. This does not mean they are illegal to purchase. I can think of no city, county, or state that allows one to possess venomous reptiles but not purchase them (with the exception of individuals grandfathered in states where bans or severe restrictions have been passed...but they had the snakes BEFORE the law was passed, which is not the case in your situation). Therefore, just because you can't buy them at a show and take them home doesn't mean that you can catch them in the wild and keep them. The ban is on possession, not purchasing.

Perhaps you should rethink your entry into this hobby.

"I know it is unwise to keep illegal reptiles, and even more so to keep wildcaught. Venomous to top it off. However, venomous snakes are by far my favorite creatures, and in my opinion, the most deserving of admiration and respect. I intend to do everything and then some to ensure the snake's safety and my own. I would appreciate any advice or information on the species."

You are essentially admitting that you are keeping the animal illegally, from my interpretation at least. This will not garner you respect or pity from most on this board, because it is people like you (keeping snakes illegally, without experience, etc.) who make it harder for people who wish to abide the laws, and have proper experience, to keep these animals. Venomous snakes may be your favorite animals, as they are for most on this board I'm sure, but that doesn't give you a license to break the law and endanger both yourself, your community, and the priveleges of other venomous keepers.

Yeah Kevin, the above is where I was going too. My assessment is that youre way over your head. First priority is for you to stay safe, then protect others, do right by the snake and comply with the law. All four goals can best be accomplished by releasing the animal to the habitat from which it was collected. Although you are probably not inclined to agree, with some thought, I sincerely hope you'll see the correctness of the plan. There is really no better option...

I don't want you to feel like your being kicked while you're down but your primary goal should be safety for all people and the animal. Since from your post I gather you're no too experience with venomous , a C. horridus is not what I'd call a starter snake.Do whats right for the people around you and the snake.Release it where it was collected.Gain experience with a mentor.Move to a locality that permits venomous. Purchase quality cages that are escape proof and lockable. For the final kick since you're 18 and will do what you want anyway , just like me when I was 18! Don't get bitten . A horridus bite can be very painful ,if not fatal .

kevin i too live in a state where venomous species are illegal to keep, but i keep venomous species. Why? because i want to keep them more than i fear breaking a nonsense law. be careful and good luck getting a good answer with the holier than thou types on this site. if "joe" asks a question about husbandry on this forum the regulars offer the same reply every time, and that goes something like this "to even ask this question tells me that you are not prepared to keep a venomous species... blah, blah, blah. horridus are awesome take good care of him or her and yourself.

and to the strict law abiding popes of venomous reptile husbandry answer the question as asked, dont offer your opinion, as nobody cares.

Opinions are peoples rights. Now the reason most people said that is because they dont want him to just jump into it and end up with a serious accident due to lack of experience. The laws are getting more and more strict so if an accident does happen it just doesnt help. The laws, in my opinion are kind of....lame.(for the lack of a better word) but there are reasons for them. But the answers you seek for the care of said reptile can be found within this website. Just look around.

Gabonica.....What shotty response to some good advice. I have always wanted to keep venomous but haven't because in most of the cities or counties I lived in it was illegal. I now live in a city and county where it is legal to keep native species. I would never want to screw things up for other folks and bad publicity tends to have that effect, especially on the responsible venomous community.....which you are not part of by the way.

Keeping a Crote in a sterilite is absoultely ridiculous and is asking for trouble. You should never bring home an animal and not know how to properly care for or house it NO MATTER if it is venomous or not.

It's folks like you and the original poster that give this community a black eye.......

I'm not offended at all by what any of you said, to be honest, I know that you are all correct. I will most likely release the timber before long, I am going to keep it for a little while to enjoy the animal. About the dangers, there is nothing to worry about on that, I keep the snake in a 75 gallon tank now with 8 of those clip locks, weighted, and behind a locked door so no one but me can get to it and be idiots.

Out of curiosity, what would be a good starter venomous snake?

I'm actually on my way out right now, so I have to keep this short, but thank you all for your advice.

A good starter venomous would be one that you could keep legally.

But to answer your question when you are legally able to keep them:
I started with a Speckled Rattlesnake, which probably isn't the best as far as it having a potent venom but it was very mellow and continues to be so. Easily handled with hooks when it needs to be. Most of the Crotalus with the exceptions of WDB's and EDB's I would think would be good starter venomous.

I would read up and get legal before deciding to acquire another hot.