Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have kept and bred pythons for years, primarily jungle carpets, coastal carpets and diamond pythons.

I have made the decision to go into hots eventually (not anytime soon, but i figure it's never too soon to start studying it), and was wondering what everybody would recommend as a first-time hot that is native to Australia.

I understand the ramifications of, and seriousness of, keeping hots, and plan to research this for years before making a purchase... so please, no lectures (they seem to prevail these pages).

If you live in Australia & have ready access to antivenin in case of an accident, there are several snakes that would probably suit you. Check local regulations & stay away from the seriously bad guys like Browns & Taipans & a few others..probably quite a few others. If you live in the states, there is probably not much from Australia that would be a good first hot.

~~Greg~~

Yes, I'm in Australia, and the following are possibilities available to me:

King Brown
Collett’s Snake
Black Snake
Spotted Black Snake
Eastern Brown Snake
Western Brown Snake
Speckled Brown Snake
Dugite
Taipan
Small Scaled Snake
Tiger Snake
Black Tiger Snake
Copperhead
Common Death Adder
Northern Death Adder
Central Death Adder
Stephen’s Banded Snake
Curl Snake
Little Whip Snake

AV is more readily available for some more than others. But i would either buy it or ensure local hospitals have it before making a purchase. Without it i wouldn't consider owning a hot - especially as a don't live on my own.

Of course, the inland taipan is my Holy Grail and I plan to one day own them. Let's just say that's a while off.

Any recommendations, disrecommendations, for those in the list?

The browns, taipans and tigers are typically very fiery critters that require a high degree of experience and handling skills to properly manage due to their size, temperment, and amount of space they need. Although the inland taipan is certainly a coveted species, it is one that I personally would not recommend as a first "first hot"; I wouldn't even recommend to those with a fair amount of experience. Death adders, though packing a fairly potent bite, would be a much better choice as they don't get very large, are fairly easy to manage with a hook/tongs, and fairly hardy. Some of the lesser known species you listed might also be good but I don't have personal experience with them. Hope this helps.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Yes, I'm in Australia, and the following are possibilities available to me:
>>
>>King Brown
>>Collett’s Snake
>>Black Snake
>>Spotted Black Snake
>>Eastern Brown Snake
>>Western Brown Snake
>>Speckled Brown Snake
>>Dugite
>>Taipan
>>Small Scaled Snake
>>Tiger Snake
>>Black Tiger Snake
>>Copperhead
>>Common Death Adder
>>Northern Death Adder
>>Central Death Adder
>>Stephen’s Banded Snake
>>Curl Snake
>>Little Whip Snake
>>
>>AV is more readily available for some more than others. But i would either buy it or ensure local hospitals have it before making a purchase. Without it i wouldn't consider owning a hot - especially as a don't live on my own.
>>
>>Of course, the inland taipan is my Holy Grail and I plan to one day own them. Let's just say that's a while off.
>>
>>Any recommendations, disrecommendations, for those in the list?
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I agree with Rob. The death adders are toxic as heck, but are probably the most easily managed for a novice hot keeper. They are much more like a viper than an elapid. Bear in mind that while I have rather extensive experience with several true & pit vipers, & a good number of cobras & a few mambas, I have never kept any Australian snakes.

Best advice I can give is to not cut corners..with the housing or with the handling. Use the proper tools, take your time, & focus on what you are doing any time the cage is open. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

~~Greg~~

The only Australian snakes I have kept, (in my personal collection) that were fairly predictable in behavior, were Colletts and Death Adders.
However, as Greg says, proper tools are a must! (this goes with ANY venomous snakes)
Randal Berry

Thank you all for your help... I appreciate it greatly.

I think i'm going to go with a death adder or a collett's, although, I know little of the collett's, nothing more than seeing someone freehandle a 30year old one with ease (not that i would attempt anything like that).

First step i think is to see about antivenom prices, effectiveness, availability. Then venom toxicity, etc.

So how long would you all recommend a person wait before getting a hot? I don't think there's anything more for me to learn about pythons, but i just don't know that i'm 'ready' for the challenge of an elapid. Guess i'm nervous about being a first-time 'hot' virgin

It sounds like your right into the herp world already and are ready to move into hots. What you are missing, and probably why you are still feeling ansy, is a mentor. Do you know of anyone else who keeps hots? Is there a reptile society that you can contact and get to know it's members? Learning first hand from someone already in the hobby gives you the experience before taking the plunge. I personally do not keep hots (illegal in my province), but have work experience with a herp zoo, and I love to visit other zoo's and people's collections to get all the experience that I can. I hope you find it benificial as well.

Have fun, and when you do take the plunge, definately post some pictures of those awesome aussie snakes!

There are only really two leading herp experts in Victoria, Australia. Both live about an hour and a half from where I do, and both are extremely busy people. They are kind enough to answer annoying emails, but I wouldn't want to ask for anything more.

In Australia, there is no real herp-network (that i know of)... just a couple of websites. I have never heard of such a thing as a reptile-expo in Victoria. There are no names thrown around of respectable bredders. Just pet shops. Don't even get me started there.

Another thing i have found is that elapid availability is minimal. Inland Taipans are readily available - ever so tempting, but not yet.

Can anybody recommend husbandry websites?

Hi,I live in Oregon,USA. I am planing to go to Victoria next year in August to visit friends in the Morwell area. How far are you from there? I have been hopeing that I could find someone that could fill me in on the local herps there. I would like to see as much as posible while I'm there. I know that most if not all of the snakes in that area are hots.
Dean

Dean,

Many of the snakes around Morwell (situated in Gippsland) are black snakes, brown snakes, and tiger snakes. Though, even these are not considered common.

Morwell is about half an hour from where I live (at a guess), but like I said in the previous post, there is very little networking here between herp keepers. If you wish to post your email address we could discuss this further and I may be able to give you a few names of people who have large establishments and breed many australian snakes - colds and hots, both within a 2 hour drive of morwell.

I hate to say it, but most Australian snakes are found in other states and territories, mainly New South Wales, Queensland and central Australia.

I would be of little use to you as I have only kept three types of python that are all very similar, and i have limited knowledge about others.

But, like I said, post your email and we'll go from there.

Cheers.

My email is ds15379@pioneer-net.com thank you for your help.
Dean

Who ever you are,

So you want to keep elapids....I live in Melbourne and keep those species you listed.

Send me an email an we might be able to work something out whether handling experience etc,no promises though.

Regards,
Scott

Scott_Eipper@hotmail.com