Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this in the Viper section first, but after I posted it I realized it should have been posted in the general venemous forum.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Hello all,

I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, so here goes. Currently I only have the animals involved in my sig, but I am turning 18 in 1 month, and I would like to start getting into experience w/ hots. Mainly the Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes Cerastes), however any experience with hots would be great.

My first impulse when wanting a Desert Horned Viper was to simply obtain my hots license, and buy a venomoid Viper. I have since done my research and found out that most people who keep hots are totally against keeping venomoids, after I learned more about the procedure and what was involved and done to the animal, I too am pretty much totally against the keeping/procdure of producing venomoid animals.

So here is my idea:

Now, I know what you are going to say, that I am too immature to be dealing with hots, and that many people often times get hurt because of not knowing the proper techniques and everything. Well here is my proposal/idea. I would like to gain experience by becoming an "apprentice" to someone who currently keeps hots in the Long Island area.

The reason I have come to this idea is becuase when I posted a while back about wanting a Desert Horned Viper, I was told to first gain atleast 2 years experience with the species, whilst being supervised/taught by an experienced keeper.

So my question is this, are there any people here that live in the Long Island area, that would want help cleaning their cages and doing maintenance for their reptiles in exchange for teaching me the proper techniques? If not, does anyone know of any herp societies on the Long Island, NY area where I could meet such people?

Thank you for your time,
Ralph

P.S. Any and all opinions/comments/suggestions are welcomed.
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0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

It's good to hear that you have decided against venomoids and want to actually take the steps to learn how to work with these animals the RIGHT way. Good move!

TW

TW,

Thank you for the support. I initially wanted to buy a venomoid animal, as I think this is the initial impulse of all who want a venomous reptile. But then I did my research, and now I am TOTALLY against keeping venomoids, for ANY reason. I feel so strongly about it infact that I would NEVER consider keeping a venomoid, for any reason, educational or not. Like GaboonKeeper said in one of his comments on the arguement that is currently ongoing in the photo galllery. If you want to do educatinal seminars and what not, do it with a REAL venomous snake, BEHIND a LOCKED glass enclosure, if you want to hold a snake, take up an interest in boids or colubrids.

Thanks again for the support, I already have one possible contact, who may be able to help me out...

Ralph
-----
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

-----
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

Ralph,
I live in the Long Island area, and would be more than happy to help you gain experience with hots. I keep a large collection of 32 venomous reptiles. If you are interested in learning as much as you can, let me know. I do not keep Cerastes cerastes, but I do keep Crotalus cerastes. I currently keep 5- Monocle Cobras, 3- Black Neck Spitters, 4- West African Gaboons, 4- African Bush Vipers, 2- Mexican Cantils, 2- Sri Lankan Palm Vipers, 2- Southern Pacific Rattlers, 5- Northern Pacific Rattlers, 1- Reticulated Gila, and 4- Mojave Sidewinders. E-mail me at lbcreptiles@optonline.net if you are interested.
Thanks,
Chris

Hi Chris!

VERY Impressive collection you have there, I will be emailing you now, Thank you for the offer, hopefully we can work something out!

-Ralph
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0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

i feel that there is nothing wrong with venomoids at all.i feel it is safer for those that dont feel like putting them selfs in danger all the time.it is not the best thing for some snakes but even so you will never get rid of venomoids because there will always be buyers.but you choose your own way
thanks steve