Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all.
I’m new to this forum and naturally I have a question. I have 6 snakes at the moment and have thought about owning hots before I got my first snake. Years later I think I’m ready. I have 4 snakes I’m in love with and I’m looking for advice. I'm interested in a rhino/gaboon viper, eyelash viper and a false water cobra. Any suggestions as to which would be a better first hot. I do live in a state where venomous is legal (PA) but in the event of a bite how do I know or rather how should I go about finding out if my local hospital carries the or any anti venom. Also does anyone know of anyone else in the Philly area who has hots and is will to show/teach me a few more things? Thanks in advance for the help.

Dave.

Dave:

First, I hope you are 21 and can legally own venomous snakes and second you need to check local laws where you are living. Inside the Philly city limits it's illegal to posess venomous snakes.

Next if you are in a town that has not laws on the books making them illegal then you should consider joining the NEAVB, who will be accepting membership to the Antivenom Bank, which will take the worrys out of proper treatment and serum.

You should NOT consider many of the snakes you would love to have(Gabbys/Rhinos and any Elapid)they are all simply too hot for someone with no experience and minimal skills. You are more likely to get into more trouble with very toxic exotic Hots than something "tamer". Start with a Copperhead or maybe that FWC you spoke about. Not what you wanted to hear but many people will back me up on this.

All said in done, contact me by email and I will consider giving you training as I live in Collegeville, PA
Northeastern Antivenom Bank

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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

hey, thanks for the reply. yes im over 21 and i do know htat hots are illegal in city limits.

as far as not owning those snakes i am ok with that. i have time to learn. i was more thinking about something thats rear fanged first but i dont really want to have in depth conversations about hots via forum. are you planning on going to the Hamberg show? i will be there ( left arm tattooed completely back from elbow down). i would love to meet up and have you show me somethings in regards to hots.

last but not least how do i get your email to reply to?

Dave:

Yes, I'll be there. Most of the people in the HOT Zone know me, not sure what I'll be wearing. I don't sport any Tatoos or piercings so maybe that will help me stand out...lol

Normally you can email the person who responds to a post by clicking on their "handle" ie: Phobos in the message header and Kingsnake.com will forward your email.

option 2: you could email me through the www.neavb.org website

option 3: you could email me here: cerastes@earthlink.net

See you at the show,

Al

Deadly Beautiful

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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

Al is completely correct in everything he said. Any of the large Bitis species (Rhinos/Puffs/Gaboons) make absolutely HORRIBLE choices for a first hot. Not only are they incredibly toxic, but they are incredibly decieving in appearance, and larger specimens can be a real workout (and very dangerous) to maneuver for chores like cage cleaning.

Elapids in general make poor starter hots, due to unavailable AV stocks in most areas (though if you join the NEAVB, you will be set in that department...doesn't mean you should get an elapid though), as well as their quick, agile nature. Couple this with a deadly venom, and you can see why they make poor starter hots.

I would say go with a False water cobra (Hydrodnastes gigas). They are rear-fanged, pretty mild mannered (unless it's feeding time), and unlikely to pose a serious threat in the event of a bite.

And if Al is willing to teach you the ropes, you are in good hands.