Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been practicing with Coachwhips and Racers (Only getting hit sometimes) in preparation for my first "Hot". I want to jump right into deep water with this thing, and have narrowed my choice down to 2 Elapids. After seeing Austin Stevens handling both of thease snakes with ease, I cant decide which would be my best first "Hot" the Black Mamba or the King Cobra?

I guess I would consider a Green Mamba or a Banded Krait as well.

i dont even own any hots, but i do actively read this forum. First off dont copy anything you see from Austin Steven, i shudder when i say this, but he is a trained professional and has worked with hots for quite some time. Even though he may be able to work these hot with no problem dosent mean you will be able to, you have to remember that these snakes do have the ability to kill you. Now im not against elapids but i dont think, and i think those who keep them will agree, that they dont have good first hots. Black mambas are really fast (faster then your racers) and have some pretty potient venom. King cobras have the potential to get pretty big. big body big head = big venom glands = high death posibility. Now im not against Kings or mambas, or venomous for that matter, i plan on getting into venomous when i have reached the point where i am willing to loose my hands, arms, be permently disfigured, or possibily die, for the sake of working with these beautiful creatures but for now im not ready. Im not trying to cruch your dreams of owning an elapid but since you have never owned a hot id have to say try a rattlesnake first, gain experience knowing that this snake is hot and move on to elapids mabe try a monocle cobra or something.

These are just my thoughts on the subject, like i mentioned i am not a Hot owner but i do freguently read these forums and this is what iv been able to pick up.

for the experience people please feel free to correct any of my mistakes or comment on what iv said.

RV
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Corns 0.0.3
0.0.1 03' Amel
0.0.1 03' Normal
0.0.1 04' Ghost
Ratsnakes
Yellow Rat 1.0.0 i think
Everglades 0.1.0 cb 97'

my lil sisters under my supervision
0.0.1 Green water dragon ---- "Dragon"

I love it when trolls crawl out from under their rocks.

I would buy both of them nasty, but ever since billygoat gruff stiffed me out of my bridge toll, I just cant swing it financially.

Ok first off, Austin Stevens is an idiot, and if you have never had a hot, i suggest an arboreal pit viper, or a coral cobra. Kings and mambas and kraits are not a "starter" hot by any means. I think you need to re-think things and not base your decision to get something on what you see on TV. Start slow and work your way up, the life you save may be your own.

I am glad I am not the only one that thinks Austin Stevens is the biggest retard when it comes to hots.....and snakes in general for that matter. I couldn't beleive what I've seen him do on TV and plus he is unbelivebly ignorant. I won't rant much more sorry I just can't stand that person!!!!!!!

Jon

Did I read your post wrong, or did you say you're considering a Black Mumba as your first hot?

I hate to be condescending, but people who consider black mumbas as a good first hot are the reason responsible reptile owners are given a bad name.

What do you do in your spare time when you're not working with reptiles, run back and fourth accross the freeway or play russian roulette?

Jesse

I would get a Beaded Sea Snake and keep it in the bath tub.