Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How can people just sell these snakes to anyone? If you look on the classifieds you can find dozens of hot snakes for sale.

The only thing it says you need to buy them is proof of age 21 . Do we all generate some kind of safe handling ability at that age or something? That is just insane, and irresponsible.

Now, there may be more procedure to this. More requirements by the seller that are not listed in these ads. Maybe upon ordering the companies will interview the buyer, to ensure they have experience with such dangerous snakes.

Just something I have been looking at for a while, but never inquired about it. What do you guys think.

i don't know about ordering online,but if it's anything like buying a hot @ a show,any responsible dealer won't sell to just anyone with a fistful of cash.if you can't get the impression across that you know what the hell you're doing,you're usually s.o.l. as far as that vendor(or any other vendor within earshot) doing any business with you.if you talk to the seller,and don't exhibit common sense about the husbandry of the critter in question,you'll usually get turned down.this is not to say that there are not any unscrupulous dealers out there,just looking to turn a quick buck,but the vast majority are extremely responsible people.they have reputations to protect,you know?
i myself don't have any hots at the moment,but i plan on rebuilding my collection with a select few in the next year or so.
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1.1 cb spotted turtles (parker(f),stinky(m))
0.0.1 cb baby red cheek mud (pickles)
0.0.1 cb baby chiapas musk (chomper)
0.0.1 cb ally snapper (gamera)
1.0 cb homo sapien(kaelan,5)

"my name is inigo montoya...you killed my father.prepare to die."

Hey there!
I understand your concerns and kinda share 'em, too. To an extent.

I don't want just anyone living next to me keeping venomous snakes. Especially not Billy Bob. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about Billy Bob, or anyone else in my area, keeping venomous snakes. While they're not the sharpest knife in the drawer, their not quite dumb enough to mess with 'em.

That's pretty representative of reptile keepers, too. Not every idiot wants a venomous. If a typical idiot gets a venomous snake they're usually respectful of what it can do, the dangers it presents.

The real idiots, though, are actually the ones that know how to properly handle & care for venomous but totally disregards the rules of thumb. These are the ones that can pass verbal & written exams on venomous but don't always apply what they know. Sometimes it's in the name of "showmanship" when they get bit.

I've never heard of a new, inexperienced, venomous snake keeper getting bit. It's always someone that's been doing it for awhile. Getting bit, whether the person is experinced or inexperienced, can sometimes be nature's way of cleansing the gene pool. Sometimes, but not always. We all make mistakes.

I got my first venomous when I was 15. It was a 5ft eastern diamondback rattlesnake. I had one moment of stupidity in which I nearly got bit but it taught me a valuable lesson. One that's carried me safely thru the last 30 years catching & keeping venomous on & off.

Like I said earlier, I agree that venomous shouldn't be sold to just anyone, but it can get really tricky in making that decision. I don't sell venomous snakes. But if I did sell them online I believe a few phone conversations would have to take place with a prospective buyer. I've got a pretty good BS meter.

Take care!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Good explanation HH. As much as I would love to keep a rattler or a cottonmouth, I still am very respectful of that bite, and would not want to put myself in that position.
They are the most beautiful of all snakes, in my opinion.

In Florida you have to get a venomous reptile license. It requires proof of alot of hours of experience and 100$. I don't know the exact hours required, because I have been grandfathered in. I got the permit back when you just had to send 5$ and a reccommendation from a current permit holder. Buddy

Im originally from Fl and just moved to the out skirts of philly and what really surprised me is that they sell gators here to the general public. GATORS!! Nothing required just 130 bucks and you have your self a gator. Im trying to look up the requirements of keeping venomous here in montgomery county, but have had no luck. Anyone know if you need a permit or anything???

Laws vary with jurisdiction for keeping, selling, and buying venomous reptiles. Illegal commercial activity is common online with venomous and non-venomous alike.