Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I am a 16 year old male interested in getting ino the world of venomous snakes(not now, don't worry). I have worked with exotics my entire life and have kept all kinds of animals. I understand the incredible amount of responsibility and maturity required to successfully care for these animals. I am hoping to find someone that will provide insight and guidance so that hopefully, in several years, I will be ready to begin keeping my own hots. Again, I stress that I am not looking to keep them now, only when I have decided I have reached the point where I can care for them without hurting myself, my family or the reputation of venomous handlers all over. Thanks in advance!

-Ryan
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2.0 Miniature collies
1.0 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
0.1 Ball Python
3.1 Sugar gliders
0.0.1 Veiled chameleon
2.0 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Finches

Welcome to the forum Ryan :- )

For now, sit back and read the posts. You will learn a tremendus amount just by doing that. Read as much as you can get your hand on, build a reference library of your own. Do as much research on a subject as you can on your own (at least Google it), if you get stuck, then ask for help.

As far as the practical part you will need a mentor to teach you the do's & don'ts of Hot Herp keeping but not till your of a legal age.

Lastly what part of the US/World do you live.

Good Luck,

Al
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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

Thanks a lot for giving me some pointers, I will definitely follow your advice! I live in Alabama U.S.A., a great place for herping by the way. Again, I want to make sure I get into this hobby the responsible and educated way, so your advice is appreciated.

-Ryan
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2.0 Miniature collies
1.0 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
0.1 Ball Python
3.1 Sugar gliders
0.0.1 Veiled chameleon
2.0 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Finches

Three things...Pick up every book you can on the animals that inerest you....Join (if possible) a herpetological society...and finally learn and practice safe techinques with hooks and tongs on harmless snakes.

Then when you are ready, start with the least dangerous species first.

Above all...be a man and know your limitations. Over self confidence is the number one reason keepers get bit.

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

Thanks for your advice, it means a lot. I have already begun amassing a collection of herp books, so it looks like I have done the right things so far.

-Ryan
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2.0 Miniature collies
1.0 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
0.1 Ball Python
3.1 Sugar gliders
0.0.1 Veiled chameleon
2.0 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Finches

DONT DO IT!
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1.0 alb. okeetee "Grissom"
1.0 American Pit Bull Terrier "Vanyel"
0.1 Somali "Willow"

Excuse me?

-Ryan
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2.0 Miniature collies
1.0 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
0.1 Ball Python
3.1 Sugar gliders
0.0.1 Veiled chameleon
2.0 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Finches

Judging this, Amayon, it seems everyone else was right about you, and I was wrong. Perhaps you're the wrong type of person to post here. That shows no maturity, and no respect, whatsoever, for others, and that's a true shame after all that's been discussed.

Good day.

oh please. no maturity? no, no maturity would have been if i insulted the guy, then spouted off a bunch of foul language. all i said was dont do it. get over yourself dude
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1.0 alb. okeetee "Grissom"
1.0 American Pit Bull Terrier "Vanyel"
0.1 Somali "Willow"

Please don't let the statements of Amayon put you off for the wrong reasons. If s/he cannot explain or back up her/his opinions ATT ALL then they should be disregarded.

Cheers,
Aaron.
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Happy Herping

Its refreshing to see a young person showing a high level of maturity in approaching this subject. Like you, when I was 16 all I wanted to do was work with venomous snakes/herps. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I finally began working with hots (after working with MANY non venomous species) and now, at the age of 40-something, I have built up my knowledge and skills over many years of hard work, and, just as importantly, learning everything I can from people I respected who mentored me along the way. Now that I am curator of a well known herp facility that keeps many hots, I am truly blessed to have this opportunity and always continue to strive to increase my knowledge (although my aging brain seems to prevent that from happening as quickly as when I was much younger). Egos and venomous herps are truly a deadly combination. Knowledge is power so like the rest of the gang said, READ, READ, and READ. Poke in on this forum and listen to what experienced professionals have to say. Attend herp symposiums if you are able to. Don't be afraid to take the intitiative in contact some of us directly with questions; most of us are happy to answer well intentioned questions.

Master the use of the hook, tongs, shields, etc. with harmless herps; make it a challege to never get bit by any of the herps you work with...that helps sharpen your skills for when you eventually start working with hots if you decide that's still what you want to do when you are a little older.

If you show respect towards those who have been in the field a long time, and, take their advice (instead of spitting it back in their faces) you'll have MANY avenues open up for you and you may find that some of them would be happy to take you under their wing.

Best of luck. Rob

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

>>Hello, I am a 16 year old male interested in getting ino the world of venomous snakes(not now, don't worry). I have worked with exotics my entire life and have kept all kinds of animals. I understand the incredible amount of responsibility and maturity required to successfully care for these animals. I am hoping to find someone that will provide insight and guidance so that hopefully, in several years, I will be ready to begin keeping my own hots. Again, I stress that I am not looking to keep them now, only when I have decided I have reached the point where I can care for them without hurting myself, my family or the reputation of venomous handlers all over. Thanks in advance!
>>
>>-Ryan
>>-----------
>>2.0 Miniature collies
>>1.0 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
>>0.1 Ball Python
>>3.1 Sugar gliders
>>0.0.1 Veiled chameleon
>>2.0 Leopard Geckos
>>1.1 Finches
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

There you go Ryan...

You heard it from two people that are very repected (Frank & Rob)on the forum not to mention what I said.

Pop your head in over at the SHHS site and introduce yourself. There are a couple of good guys I know of from Alabama.

Al
SHHS

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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

Being young and inexperienced with 'hot' snakes myself... ok fine, just inexperienced, I can tell you that the people on this form can teach you a lot! Just keep in mind that people on here are very passionate about snakes and safety both. Some can be very abrupt if they think that there is cause for concern (or if they just feel like it, lol). Don't take too much personally. You have come to the right place for getting information!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Well put Bryan

Safety is number one. Venomous keepers are a small group(family)and we don't like to see anyone hurt, mostly novices. Secondly it reflects of the whole community when someone is tagged, regardless of their experience level. Remember not many people like snakes, even fewer like the venomous variety. Every captive bite will make the news and generate negativity about the hobby. Hell, even the legitmate bites make negative press.

The well being and proper care of the species we elect to keep is next. The AZA (American Zoo & Aquarium Association)ranks needless loss of captive animals due to improper care second on their list why keeping Venomous Snakes by private individuals should be banned. "Those who throw stones should not live in glass houses", but that's another post. Not one of us like loosing a captive animal, it happens to all of us. It should never happen due to neglect, benign or otherwise.

With that said enjoy the community learn all you can, and then some. No one person on here is an expert, although I know a few that come close. It's the sum of all our knowledge that make this and other sites so valuable.

Good Luck,

0.1 Bitis cornuta

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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

Welcome aboard, Ryan. You show refreshing maturity in your willingness to wait. Like the others said..read. Here's something to read, & I hope you enjoy it. ~~Greg~~
Venomous Snakes of the American Southeast

Ryan,

I'm about to enter the world of vens too. (As you can see from the well discussed posts below and above)

Like i just said above (to amayon), it's worth reading absolutely everything you can find. Go back to the start of the forum and begin there.

Next, ask all the questions you need to, right here. For the most part, if asked properly, you will be responded to with respect and good answers.

Then, find some local herpers willing to introduce you into the physical world of vens. Many will be willing to devote their time to you.

When you're ready, and this will depend on the laws governing your state, the type of person you are, and your attitute towards where you wanna take this, ask some of the local guys to show you a few things - there's no point in practicing hook use, etc, on your own snakes, unless you've first been shown what you should be practicing - otherwise you might be practicing poor techniques.

You're on your right way regarding reading. It's also a good idea to educate yourself on toxinology (through scientific papers, available with library memberships through local unis, online, etc) and bite protocols. Have someone show you the appropriate first aid techniques (as these will differ from bite to bite, snake to snake), or do a firstaid course through a hospital.

Next, make sure you're doing this for the right reasons. You seem like you've got your head screwed on the right way (judging by your original posts, but then again, people that meet you in person and spend some time with you will be in a better position to judge this). Consider the opinions of all who surround you (you've already referred to those you live with)... after all, your decision effects them, your neighbours, etc.

Like i said, i'm a newbie in the hot world too. Just offering what i've come to see as the right way to get into it.

Good luck, and keep posting.
Cheers,
Aaron.

Thanks so much to everyone who has greeted me and given out advice. It is greet to see such an enthusiasitc group of people, and I look forward to learning from each of you in turn. As for now, I'll start taking everybody's advice on how to get started and read everything herp-related I can get my hands on. I'll also be on here quite a bit, even if I'm just watching. Thanks again!

-Ryan
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2.0 Miniature collies
1.0 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
0.1 Ball Python
3.1 Sugar gliders
0.0.1 Veiled chameleon
2.0 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Finches