Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was hoping you guys could help point me in the direction in gaining experience with venomous snakes. I believe one answer is go to a local zoo? The problem with this is I don't think the state of Virginia has a zoo with reptiles, DC area maybe, but that's a long ways away.
I was also wondering what the age requirements are. I'm almost 17 and I would atleast like to watch someone handle a venomous snake(who knows what they're doing). They'll let me dive, drive, and hunt so will the law allow me to be within the vicinity of a venomous reptile?
BTW: I know a lot of teenagers get into snakes, but I've been into them since about the age of 5. I've kept snakes for a number of years, including a couples years experience with WLP's and a years experience with a Macklot. So not the tamest of pythons, but I still feel it's very inadequate because both these species required very little handling to tame. I did though learn this: Certain small snakes have HUGE striking ranges, my baby Macklot thinks it's the toughest thing this side of the Mississippi..
I also wanted to state this, I am the local(very small vicinity) snake wrangler. Encounters with Copperheads do happen here, but since I've been here I haven't been called upon. So a venomous encounter is inevitable and it would be nice to learn how to deal with the situation now.
Thanks for any info
CCD

I can't really help with your question, but I thought I should point something out that you should check on.

I don't know about Virginia, but here in Florida, just to go and remove an unwanted hot snake for someone you need a permit...

As far as I know the state of Va doesn't require any special permits for owning venomous snakes, or atleast doesn't outlaw them. Though the canebrake(recognized still as a ssp) is considered an endangered species and to be left unharassed.

Funny you should bring that up. I heard a story, my memory of how it goes is a little fuzzy, but it goes like this: A wildlife marshall(or someone of the status) in Texas drug an alligator with his vehicle out of a neighborhood it was found in and shot it. He thought it was a threat to the kids in the area. I think it might of been dead from being drug also -- as far as I know it was a true story, one of those newspapers that has a section with strange articles.(No I'm not talking about the newspapers that report that the devil has escaped hell or that they've seen heaven behind mars). Either way, sadly it's very believable..
Take care,
CCD

That's true, you might still be able to find the posts on it in the crocodillian forum.

I am 14 and was also looking for experience so I searched the internet and found a herpetologist that lived in the area. I got ahold of him and he was kind enough to show me his hots and handle them and even go on a field trip with him looking for copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. It was a great experience and I got to handle copperheads and timbers with his help. I live around Nebraska/Iowa so I don't know if you would be able to contact anyone in your area willing to help. I hope you find someone to help.