Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Less than 12 hours ago a person named Amayon posted some questions about how to keep vens. S/he seemed enthusiastic and eager.

By the end of this afternoon, this is what had come from the advice of experts-

"not sure what you were just saying, but you must not know anything about the pit bull world and or taking sides, because an irresponsible pit bull owner/irresponsible snake owner would not be comming onto a forum getting help and advice and asking questions. they would just go out and buy the dog/snake/gun/whathaveyou and screw the repercussions.
everyone else, but thanks for all the info anyway. definitely do not want to ever get bit, so it sound like the risk would be too high. thanks anyway

oh and i didnt want something that i can show off, i like how some of them are flashier than nonvenomous. the rhino viper for instance (i think thats the one... with the blue and purple?). anyway. wont be getting one."

From this, I sense that Amayon has been not only scared of the idea of keeping hots, but also seems quite insulted. Straight from the horses mouth, "an irresponsible pit bull owner/irresponsible snake owner would not be comming onto a forum getting help and advice and asking questions. they would just go out and buy the dog/snake/gun/whathaveyou and screw the repercussions."

I guess we will never know if Amayon had the right motives behind wanting hots. The idea of keeping them has possibly been completely ruined for her/him. And I see this happen time and time again.

Aaron.

I have to say that I understand others points in here. There have been MANY posts recently asking the same questions. Just simply going back through the archives and reading would help answer many peoples questions.

Instead of coming onto the forum and saying, "Hi, my name is ******, and I am interested in getting a hot snake. I want a Cobra and want to know how to get it and am I ready?

They can come in and say, " Hello, my name is ***** and I am intested in getting a hot snake. I read through your archives on this forum and noticed that the majority recommends getting a mentor for someone less experienced. I was wondering if anyone knows how I can go about doing this?

This simply proves that you are interested and are willing to take the time and try to answer your own questions before asking everyone else to make a huge thread to answer it for you. (over and over again).

Do you see a difference? The responses I can guarantee will be much nicer and much more different.

This is JMO,

Chris

>>Less than 12 hours ago a person named Amayon posted some questions about how to keep vens. S/he seemed enthusiastic and eager.
>>
>>By the end of this afternoon, this is what had come from the advice of experts-
>>
>>"not sure what you were just saying, but you must not know anything about the pit bull world and or taking sides, because an irresponsible pit bull owner/irresponsible snake owner would not be comming onto a forum getting help and advice and asking questions. they would just go out and buy the dog/snake/gun/whathaveyou and screw the repercussions.
>>everyone else, but thanks for all the info anyway. definitely do not want to ever get bit, so it sound like the risk would be too high. thanks anyway
>>
>>oh and i didnt want something that i can show off, i like how some of them are flashier than nonvenomous. the rhino viper for instance (i think thats the one... with the blue and purple?). anyway. wont be getting one."
>>
>>From this, I sense that Amayon has been not only scared of the idea of keeping hots, but also seems quite insulted. Straight from the horses mouth, "an irresponsible pit bull owner/irresponsible snake owner would not be comming onto a forum getting help and advice and asking questions. they would just go out and buy the dog/snake/gun/whathaveyou and screw the repercussions."
>>
>>I guess we will never know if Amayon had the right motives behind wanting hots. The idea of keeping them has possibly been completely ruined for her/him. And I see this happen time and time again.
>>
>>Aaron.

Aaron. As a local fish and game officer told me in Daytona saturday. "Anybody that keeps venemous snakes in their homes is crazy."

Think about that. That is the voice of those who control our privilige to keep hots.

We are thought of by the majority of people out there as being at the very least reckless in our choice of what we keep. The majority (if put to a vote) would ban us in the name of public safety.

Our only defense is to set an extreme example of responsibilty. Every time some young genius posts that he wants to begin with venemous and then rattles off the most deadly names in the trade it gives fuel to the ant-snake forces.

Then when they refuse to listen, go out and blackmarket something bad and get bit....Guess who gets blamed? Guess whose license is threatened? Yes...the responsible keeper.

When we speak to you on a forum the message is bigger than just you. It is for all the wannabe's that have no sense and are looking for approval so they can get their "ego toy".

The bottom line is there are a lot of people who are anti-snake who read and mine these threads for fuel to back their cause. If I am hostile it is because these irresponsible young people who don't listen threaten what I do.

Goini and Rob made some excellent points...

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

You make some great points, I wish I had a dollar for everyone who asks me about keeping hots when i do a presentation. having kept many over the years I am now in a place where I cannot, but I can live with it as I do removals and such and also volunteer at a place that has some. But education is the ONLY way to get through to people and sometimes you have to beat it into their heads. So if we appear hostile they must understand its for their safety and our hobby.

I have to agree with you. I do not have snakes as pets, and I think people should have the right. It's irresponsible people who make keeping anything as a pet just plain wrong (ever watched "Animal Cops"

I am trying to convince people around here (Ely, NV) that there isn't a reason to have a deathly fear of snakes. For instance, I've tried to convince my boss that not all snakes are venomous. She knows I'm pregnant and will handle wild, nonvenomous snakes and what she said "People like you shouldn't be allowed to have children." So ignorant, I showed her photos and it didn't seem that bad. Then she believes this old wives' tale that venomous snakes can breed with nonvenomous to make all snakes bad again. I feel like eventually I might get through to her, my husband thinks not.

Our neighbors the other day killed a Great Basin Rattler that entered their yard, I was surprized to hear this because one of them works for the BLM. He should know how important they are for the environment. Next time though, she'll call up me and my husband and he'll safely move it to Rattlesnake Canyon which is on a nearby mountain - or - they can call up our other neighbors who'll will probably move it into their yard.
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-Nicole

2.1.0 collared lizards
2.0.0 side-blotched lizards
1.0.0 desert tarantula
small tropical fishes

I hate that old way of reference, "people like you... fill in the blank". Seems like it's always used to put people in a nastily percieved, but safe box that requires no more brain activity after the spur of the moment categorizing is made. Just my pet peeve.
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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

alright thanks for defending me, but im not hurt or offended in any way. hots, as you guys call them, should never ever be owned by anyone less than 100% knowledgable and capable. BELIEVE ME, i discourage dozens of people A WEEK from owning a pit bull. Yes they are wonderful pets to have, IF you are the right kind of person and IF you know, without a doubt, what you are getting into. same goes for potentially dangerous snakes. I see the reason behind why people are telling me, straight off, not to get one. ITS BETTER TO BE SAFE AND DISCOURAGE THAN ENCOURAGE AND THEN SEE MY SORRY ARSE ON THE EVENING NEWS. so stop acting like these people are aholes. they are concerned with the safety of the animals and people first and foremost, and if that means poor whiney joe shmoe should be told not to have one, then GOOD. i would rather keep a thousand people out of the hot business than chance letting even ONE risky person in. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE ACCIDENT/BITE AND CITIES ARE GOING HYSTERICAL AND BANNING EVERYTHING LEFT AND RIGHT! I know this better than most people, because i see it and fight it every stinkin day with my pit bull dogs.

THANK YOU, those who discourage as a matter of course! you will save the snakes for the rest of us
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1.0 alb. okeetee "Grissom"
1.0 American Pit Bull Terrier "Vanyel"
0.1 Somali "Willow"

Nobody in here likes telling people NO, you shouldnt have one or would not be a good idea. However, it is better to do that then tell somebody yes do it and heres how and then we kill our own interests. Nobody in here is telling anyone NOT to do this necessarily. We are telling you the appropriate more "surefire method" on doing it properly and being safe. Like I had mentioned before, I am not even a keeper of hots and GOD KNOWS I really want to. However, if I made the decision to get into hots and start keeping them, I would not only be breaking the law, but I would be killing the hobby that I have grown to love dearly.

Perhaps one of these days I will. But for right now, I prefer to take my time, learn the ropes and soak up EVERY BIT OF KNOWLEDGE THAT I CAN. Then when I am in the position to do so responsibly and ethically, then I will most likely then get my first hot. I am thinking something like a copperhead or mangrove (havent decided yet).

I hope if you decide to get into hots, that you learn as much as you can and soak up every bit of information. I have recieved negative feedback's before upon asking questions, but I didnt necessarily take offense however. (not saying you did). I used them as "constructive criticism" and researched why I would get the responses I did. I learned fast. Now I am personally glad I did it that way.

Hope this helps and good luck with your herps and pitts.

Chris