Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Let me start by saying that I am not against the hobby of keeping venomous snakes. I think they are gorgeous animals. My question is though, what makes one want to get into venomous snakes? Are you afraid of being bitten? Are you afraid of the snake escaping in your home? Have most of you that own venomous snakes been in the snake hobby for a long time? Do you handle the snakes much at all?

I'm just really curious to hear all of your answers. You guys are much more brave than I am! Sorry, I just had to ask. I'm sure you've been asked 1000 times. And, I hope I do not sound ignorant by asking these questions!
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~Heather~
3 German Shepherd Dogs (Tasha, Austin, & Kaiya)
1 Iguana (Irwin)
4 Firebelly Toads (Kirby, Gus, Pico, & Tiki)
1 African Cichlid (Arnie)
3 Red-Eared Slider Hatchlings (Otis, Jasper, & Jade)
1 Southern Painted Hatchling (Milo)
Check out my website with most of my pets!

Keeping venomous snakes surely isn't for everyone. People only interested in "being cool" or showing off to their friends need not apply...there are quicker and far less painless ways of killing yourself.

That being said, if you have a fascination with venomous snakes (and snakes in general), and have a good head on your shoulders, there are relatively safe ways of maintaining a collection. Keeping venomous snakes isn't really that hard, it's being disciplined enough to NEVER let your guard down and to always know your limits that can be tough for some. That being said, anyone who is willing to invest their time, hard work, money, and dedication can become a successful and safe venomous keeper...

Am I afraid of being bitten? At the moment, I don't keep anything that can kill me. That being said, I still encounter plenty in the wild and have worked with keepers who keep far more serious stuff than I. So, no, I wouldn't say I'm afraid, because you should never be afraid of something you voluntarily choose to do on a regular basis, but I am WARY of the consequences of taking a bite, and do EVERYTHING in my power to prevent it. That includes not working with a hot when I'm too tired, or even in a bad mood. It includes NOT EVER working with a venomous snake while under the influence of any substance, even prescription meds. It includes NEVER letting my ego get in the way of me safely working a snake...I'm not in this hobby to be cool. I'm in it because of a genuine fascination with these animals.

I've weighed the risks associated with this hobby, because, let's face it, you can die. It's also expensive. Proper caging and tools are WAY more expensive then the actual animals themselves. In the end, I felt that the inherent risk of me being injured or possibly killed IS worth me being able to keep these animals. Not a choice to be made lightly. But life is one big risk, and if you avoid each and every thing simply because it MAY hurt you, you'll find you'll live a very boring life.

that part of responsible hot keeping is also having a good set of protocols just in case you take a bite, that is something EVERY venomous keeper MUST have.

I ask myself why people will stick a burning piece of paper loaded with carcinogins in their mouths, speed, drink alcohol and drive, get the point?

I have snakes that can kill me. I have been licensed for over 30 years. Why? Frankly I am so comfortable with the concept that I had to think about it.

I started because of curiousity, and a desire to keep a species that I found attractive at the time. I was working at a Zoo and that and my herp society gave me experience. Over the years it became normal to have them around and my safety proceedures became habit. I learned what species I could keep with safety and I don't push the envelope.

Do I fear them? When I have to move one. It gives me the respect that has kept me from having a serious bite. But I have found it to be less disconcerting then when I was in security, a bouncer, or when I was a truck Driver (far more dangerous jobs).

So the answer is....The number one cause of death is life...and the number one waste of life is to be too scared to live it.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Thank you all for responding. I had been wanting to post those questions for awhile, but feared that it would possibly offend all of you. I just wanted to be sure that I made it clear that I am not against keeping them at all. I just had a huge curiosity about what type of person keeps them. I completely understand what you all have said, and I truly respect your decisions. You all seem extremely educated about the snakes, which I'm sure is pretty necessary. I find the snakes so interesting and beautiful, but I know I could never keep them. I do understand, as you have all mentioned, that there are risks everyday that are probably far greater than owning a venomous snake if you know what you are doing ...say....teaching high school LOL There's a good question to ask me in return! Why teaching????
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~Heather~
3 German Shepherd Dogs (Tasha, Austin, & Kaiya)
1 Iguana (Irwin)
4 Firebelly Toads (Kirby, Gus, Pico, & Tiki)
1 African Cichlid (Arnie)
3 Red-Eared Slider Hatchlings (Otis, Jasper, & Jade)
1 Southern Painted Hatchling (Milo)
Check out my website with most of my pets!

I am a venomous keeper that is currently working through college in pursuit of a teaching degree. I'm planning to teach biology on the secondary (high school) level. As I look forward to my future, I wonder which of the two is more dangerous, lol! But to be honest, I hope that my love of reptiles trickles down through my students. You can bet I'll have herps in the classroom, as I can imagine you do if your school lets you. So, what subject is it you teach? It's nice to see teachers coming to these boards, especially those that obviously care for reptiles a great deal. I hope your students have benefitted from that. All that being said, welcome!
-Chance
River Valley Snakes

Teaching is sure an experience! MUCH more dangerous than any herp out there....lol. I teach art in high school so I get the full range of animals, er...kids. (9-12) This August will start my 4th year, so I'm still kinda new at it. It can be really fun and a real pain at the same time. And, yep, you guessed it, I have herps in the classroom! I keep my Firebelly Toads at school most of the year. The kids LOVE them! They've already been the subject of a few drawings! I was seriously considering getting a garter snake also, but I'm afraid my husband will kick me out if I get any more animals! LOL!

Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can help you out in any way regarding teaching! I'd love to help out!
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~Heather~
3 German Shepherd Dogs (Tasha, Austin, & Kaiya)
1 Iguana (Irwin)
4 Firebelly Toads (Kirby, Gus, Pico, & Tiki)
1 African Cichlid (Arnie)
3 Red-Eared Slider Hatchlings (Otis, Jasper, & Jade)
1 Southern Painted Hatchling (Milo)
Check out my website with most of my pets!

I printed that out, stuck a piece of clip art on it, and it's getting hung on my herp room wall.

Thanks.

I just hope they don't read it at my funeral any time soon!
*knocks on wood*

Those are all excellent questions and ones I get asked quite frequently. In terms of safety, that is always my number one priority; for my safety, the safety of my staff and my family. I take NO chances when working with venomous. Although I don't fear them, per se, I do have an exceptionally HIGH LEVEL OF RESPECT for what these animals are capable of doing and I never let my guard down. I try to live a clean lifestyle (no smoking or drinking, physically fit, etc.) as I believe that only those in excellent condition and mentally strong and focused should work with venomous (but that's just what works for me). For me, being a professional herpetologist who has been working with herps nearly my entire life, working with venomous is just an extension of my passion and interest in learning and studying about reptiles. I didn't really seriously begin working with venomous species (from a captive husbandry and breeding standpoint) until I was in my early to mid 20's and now that I have been working with them for quite a while, I truly enjoy the challenges that they present. Very little is known about some of their captive requirements and I enjoy discovering new ways to successfully keep these species. The very word "venomous" evokes many negative feelings with the average person and as an educator, I can't think of a better animal to use in my education programs than a venomous snake (or lizard...love those gilas!). We just took in a jameson's mamba that was severely abused and thanks to the incredible efforts of Tanith (aka MsTT), this snake has a chance to survive and recover although it will always bare a few scars due to a very horrific "defanging" incident. Now, we are carrying the torch in giving this snake the best home possible. In our first plea for help among the community where our wildlife center is located, we raised $175 on the first day to help pay for the vet costs that Tanith incurred while rehabbing this animal (Tanith, that check is coming soon...sorry!). And the bulk of it came from an old woman who felt truly sorry for this animal (she also happened to grow up in Africa and had a fond memory of a close encounter with a mamba). Anyway, in short (or long now that I look at this post!), I love working with venomous herps because they are the ultimate predators, highly advanced, breathtakingly beautiful, misunderstood, wary, cunning, provide excellent opportunities to educate people about the many wonderfully positive virtues of reptiles and on and on and on. I'm a venomous reptile addict! Rob

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847-615-4388 office
www.cityoflakeforest.com (city services/parks & rec/wildlife discovery center)

Thank you for your very educated response. I was truly hoping that no one would take my questions the wrong way. I have all the respect in the world for those who can deal with such powerful animals. Your answers have made me understand your choice to keep venomous animals. It would be very interesting to find the best way to keep animals that not much is known about. Some of my family thinks I'm going overboard with all the animals I own...but I turly enjoy learning about each animal and learning the best ways to care for them. (Mine aren't nearly as exotic as yours though! ) Once again, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Also, I think it is wonderful that you are helping neglected and abused snakes. You seem like a wonderful person!
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~Heather~
3 German Shepherd Dogs (Tasha, Austin, & Kaiya)
1 Iguana (Irwin)
4 Firebelly Toads (Kirby, Gus, Pico, & Tiki)
1 African Cichlid (Arnie)
3 Red-Eared Slider Hatchlings (Otis, Jasper, & Jade)
1 Southern Painted Hatchling (Milo)
Check out my website with most of my pets!

I have never liked venomous snakes as pets untill about 8 years ago. When I started working in a Reptile park I couldn't understand why anybody would like to keep these potentially dangerous animals in their house. I was by far more interested in non-venomous species.

But being around about 200(+) venomous snakes for a number of years I did become very interested in them. It resulted in me taking care of the venomous snakes at the park and keeping them at home!!! And not only because of their beauty and different lifestyles, eg. But primarly because of the fact that they are venomous!

I find it to be like any other hobby in wich the participant grows and enhances his/her skills until a new goal is set. It is like a track-runner who wants to keep improving his/her performance. But it must be said that I find my non-venomous animals just as much fun as 8 years ago. I just chose to specialise in venomous snakes as well.

Cheers,

Erik

Those are interesting points and somewhat mirrors the direction I am going. My wildlife center now has more venomous than non-venomous species and I truly enjoy the challenge and the honing of my handling skills in working with them. But, I, like the last post, enjoy my non venomous herps just as much and my real passion is in working with eastern indigo snakes (which I have been breeding for the past seven years). I am one of those few fortunate folks who gets to do this for a living so I am really blessed to be able to have the privilege in working with some truly unique animals. Rob