Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As it seems alot of states see hot keepers as no benifit to the community but more of a danger. When we could re-direct those thoughts to education and science. There is alot of research being done on venom and its potential for helping not just harming like the link I attached. I am sure if we work together and develop a venom supply for science research and place that to the forfront as a reason for keeping. Then the public as well as the State will see us in a different light It just seems if you show yourself as more of a benifit then a danger it would make more sense. We need to make a move in this direction or face alot more banning in states to come.
Just my thoughts.
Robert
Link

Good post. Also, making it known that you'll do demos for area schools, and then following through on it, couldn't possibly hurt, either.

Bill Huseth

I dont see a school allowing that to happen...?
It was just thought. But not much feedback on it...
Thanks for your reply

It's a nice thought, but unrealistic I think. The vast majority of private keepers do not keep their charges for the benefit of medical science. I'm skeptical that pharmaceutical companies would even purchase venom from a private keeper. Also, encouraging your average hot keeper to start "milking their snakes for science" is an accident waiting to happen...

It's my opinion that really the only viable solution to the bans is an encouragment of a permit system similar to Florida in the states where bans are being proposed and enacted. (It would be nice if people could actually be responsible with their deadly snakes, but history has proven that there's little hope of that!) Therefore, in order for the gubmint to appease the general snake-hating public while at the same time preserving this privilege for the RESPONSIBLE keepers is to go forth with a permit system...One big catch tho...

Unless there is a big enough whine from us hot keepers, the gubmint will always go forth in the path of least resistance and money and just enact an all-out ban...It's quick, simple and appeases the majority of constituents. Hot keepers need to give the gubmint a reason to listen to their side, and thus far the "hot keeping side" has been woefully apathetic towards making their voice heard.

-AzAtrox

I do live in Florida and believe in the permit system as well. And every state should have one. I came from Iowa with no permits system. But my time there with venomos was counted towards my permit here. There should be this kind of training for proof of knowledge to be able to keep these reptiles. But to get someone to listen needs a reason and I thought if the public and government could see the benifits they would likely listen.
Thanks

Actually, my agreement to Robert's original post was more towards education and the general "paint a better picture" tack. Certainly, the "Big Three" (Haast, VanHorn, Harrison) have the market cornered as for venom extraction. In addition to the risk factor you mentioned, continued milking of an individual snake, unless it's one of many, would have to take time off the life expectancy of said snake, I would think.

Bill Huseth