Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have been working with highly aggresive tree boas(atbs and etbs)and copperheads(wtc) for a couple years and was interested in getting an albino or regular monacled cobra and wanted to know any of the regulations on hots in new
thanks

regualtions in newyork

You would have to contact the Dept. of Environmental Conservation in Albany New York. I do however suggest one thing. I have a ton of venomous snakes, most of which are all Cobras of varrying species. I can say that even though you may be working with aggressive Emeralds or any type of aggressive non-venomous, it will not prepare you for working with Cobras. They are extremely fast, super smart, and highly toxic. A minor bite from one of them can be fatal, and even if not fatal the damage can be unbelievable. I am not saying that you are not ready for this step, but just choose your first hot snake wisely. I have 10 Monocles in my collection ranging from 2-7 feet, both normals and albinos, and not one has the same demenor. I have one that is 10 times nastier than my Forest Cobras and 1 that can almost (not litteraly) be free handled. Do not free handle at all. With over 30 Cobras in my collection, I have had 2 close calls. Although I have not taken a bite from a Cobra, the almost mishap makes you think twice about what and how you are doing things. I took a fang scrape across the finger from a Gabby, and I almost crapped myself. It was scarry and it made me do a ton of remodifications to my venomous room, and my handling techniques. There is not what some would call good first hots. I am a firm believer that anyone can die from a bite from anything. Remember, an individuals own metabolism and resistance to foreign materials and chemicals in their system varries from person to person. There is always that first case or a rare occurance, and I dont want to be it and I am sure you dont either. Despite the current activities of the State and law makers to ban just about every reptile that they deem dangerous or unfit for personal collections, I hope you make the right decision. If you do choose a Cobra, good luck and if there is anything I can do to help you keep it safely and provide you with as much info as possible just e-mail me. I also suggest that you scroll down a bit further and find the link to the proposed bill that may soon be passed. After reading it, please write to Pataki and state you disapproval of this bill. We will all [bleep] about it when it passes, but we are the only ones who can try and stop it. You can complain about it if you did not help stop it.
Chris