Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what do you think are some of the best beginner hots? why?

King Cobras, Taipans, Bushmasters, Mambas and Gabbys are arguably among the best. The novice is less likely to be lulled into a false sense of security.

well thats a good argument.

why did you add gabbys to your sarcastic list when at least in my observation they are the most likely to lull you into a false sense of security?

I like Bill's response. Seriously, though, I do not feel that there is such thing as a "beginner hot"; any venomous snake can inflict a deadly bite. The bigger question is whether or not someone is ready to work with venomous reptiles; most are not but for the very few who have the maturity, knowledge, skills, resources and physical ability, they can be considered. When I have keepers who have completed their training with me, they typically start off by taking care of the smaller species of rattlesnakes such as C. klauberi, Sistrurus, C. cerastes, etc. These are snakes that can still inflict a medically significant bite but herps where proper antivenin is typically available (even though that should be your responnsibility). Once my staff have proven that they can take care of them properly, I add additional specimens to their "run"....but that only happens after many months, sometimes years.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>what do you think are some of the best beginner hots? why?
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Great advice Rob, and very well put.

The top 10 best beginner hots are 10 snakes that are in someone elses collection that is willing to mentor you and keep you from making beginner mistakes.

I am not in any way implying that you are wanting to know so you can go out and buy one with no experience with them.
That said, my favorite reply to someone that asks what the best beginner hot is. "If you have to ask then your not ready to keep one". You aren't going to learn which is best to keep from asking someone. Your going to learn from years of study and experience what exactly your most comfortable keeping. You may be more comfortable with less injury, less chance of death, speed factor, agression factor, size and strike range. That all will be a personal prefrence after you have experience handling these animals. There is no such thing as "the best beginner hot". Basicly beginners don't keep hots, bottom line. Keeping possible deadly animals isn't learned from the internet, reading, or asking questions, all that helps but you MUST, MUST, MUST have experience above all.

The question of a good venomous snake for beginners is actually kinda oxymornic. Like: "I'd like to obtain a modest thermonuclear device. What's a good one for a novice?"

Both you and Rob are spot on. The question should be posed: What do I need to accomplish and master before I can consider keeping venomous reptiles?

maybe i should rephrase the question
what venomous snakes do you think are easiest to keep?
ones that dont try to lunge out of there cage the second its opened?
ones that eat well in captivity and dont require exact amounts of humidity and heat ext.

and so nobody gets to worried (and rightfully so) i have kept reptiles for almost 15 years including a southern copperhead witch i have never touched (and probably never will) the way i keep my hot seems much safer than the way ive seen experts (who have tons of training in dangerous activities) treat cobras like i treat a ball python.

lets put it this way if you were mentoring someone what snakes would you recommend they start with

True. Some do have the reputation of lunging out the door, but you should expect that will happen with all venomous snakes! It's better to be surprised when they don't than when they do! Rob's advice with keeping those known to be covered with locally stocked antivenin is sound advice. Working with a mentor to see what you are comfortable with is also excellant advice.
-----
Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

While everyone that replied to this post made good sense, and attention should be paid to their sentiment, for the sheer sake of humility or stupidity or whatever, I’m gonna take this one in the opposite direction and actually provide the desired response...But please do more research before you endanger your life, the lives around you, as well as everyone here's already threatened hobby...

(IMO) Top Ten “Beginner Hots” (Yes it’s an oxymoron...)

1. Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix sp.)

2. Asian Bamboo Vipers (Trimeresurus sp.)

3. Slender Hognose Viper (Porthidium ophryomegas)

4. Pigmy Rattlesnakes (Sisturus miliarius sp.)

5. Eyelash Vipers (Bothriechis schlegelii)

6. Rock Rattlesnakes (Crotalus lepidus sp.)

7. Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)

8. African Bush Vipers (Atheris sp.)

9. Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis sp.)

10. African Coral Snakes (Aspidelaps lubricus sp.)

None of the above species of venomous snakes are known for reliably causing human fatalities, though keep in mind; the Atheris sp. have no specific antivenin and that Atheris superciliaris is indeed dangerous; Prairie Rattlesnake are likely the most dangerous species mentioned above and some populations have abnormally dangerous venom; and that the Aspidelaps species are elapids, though with a mild venom and a tendency to strike with the mouth closed, still they behave very differently from vipers and are not recommended until one has experience with at least one of the above viper species.

Also realize that an envenomation from any of the above species is a medical emergency and will require treatment...

Please avoid Western Diamondbacks and Puff Adders, as they may be as cheap and available as corn snakes, but they are indeed very dangerous and a terrible choice for a first hot...

I'd wish you good luck, but anyone who believes in something as illogical as "luck" shouldn't keep venomous snakes...

Very nice job on your direct, respectful and thoughtful list. I suggest it should be referenced each time the question is posed. Thank you.

For North American residents, I'd amend the suggested 10-list by deleting all the non-New World exotics (no Atheris, no Aspidelaps, etc). That way any bite would at least be partly treatable with your local-hospital NA Crotalid polyvalent antivenom.

I'd further amend the list by keeping off any arboreals, due to husbandry issues and also their surprising reach.

I'd add things with fairly low yield and toxicity like Atropoides (way under-rated), Porthidium, Cerrophidion.

I'd take viridis off the list - too big, hot, and nasty. Anything over about 30 inches would be off my list.

Basically I'd populate the list with animals that are easy to keep as both neonates and adults, probably won't kill you or maim you too bad, and are fairly inexpensive (so if the newbie doesn't end up liking the risk he won't be too unwilling to part with the animal on any terms, including simple giveaway).

Just my .02.

"For North American residents, I'd amend the suggested 10-list by deleting all the non-New World exotics (no Atheris, no Aspidelaps, etc)."

Since neither genus has AV, I don't think it really matters where the person lives. I also don't feel either is a good beginner, though.

I don't see why Cottonmouth's couldn't be added to the list as well as Copperheads, just my humble opinion...most of them are slower moving than contortrix and you'd have to be an idiot to get tagged by their slow to absent strike to experience their slightly more toxic venom.
Drew.