Our wildlife center currently offers an in-hours "Venomous Snake Management Certification Workshop" (three levels offered ranging from beginner to advanced skills) that all of my staff, who wish to work with hots, must complete. It is an intensive 3-day workshop followed by a 300 hour shadowing program and prior to the workshop and the shadowing program, these same staff must have worked with me for at least 5 years with a perfect handling record (with non venomous), show an extremely large amount of knowledge and the willingness to continue to learn, and demonstrate that they are hard working, reliable, live a clean lifestyle and prove their "worth" so to speak. They quickly realize that working with just a copperhead is a privilege that doesn't come easily. They also know that they will never have a second chance to make a first mistake and anything less than PERFECTION will never be tolerated. We are now looking at the possibility of opening up this workshop for people (private individuals, zoo professionals, etc.) who wish to either improve their handling skills, or, acquire skills that they don't have in order for them to prepare them to own venomous species. Obviously, proof of licenship/permiture, or, a letter from their state's DNR will be required for anyone wishing to participate (private individuals from IL would NOT be allowed to take this workshop unless they are affiliated with an approved zoo, nature center or museum...no exceptions). No minors will be allowed as well. This is all speculative at best and a decision won't be made soon. While I want to keep an open mind on offering this workshop, as I feel it would be very popular, there are some real logistical and philosophical hurdles I need to address before we get to that point. More to come and I will keep everyone posted; should make for a fantastic workshop if we can get it off the ground.
But, I can tell you that you may be a bit disappointed as you mentioned that you haven't tailed a "viper" in 2 years.....you won't learn tailing in this workshop. Our facility is all about safety and managing venomous snakes in a manner in which you minimize the potential for a snake bite....although tailing may be okay in certain circumstances (elapids), it does NOT work for vipers and will most likely put you in the morgue. The use of shift boxes is a far better tool than needless handling.
Hope this helps.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL
>>Hey all, haven't been here since 2002. Really long!
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>>Well, I used to keep hots back then, namely trims as well as babysitting a rhino and a baby albino kaouthia for a while..but I had to stop when I had to do national service. Just got out last year and went to sydney for further studies.
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>>As it stands now, I can't (and will not) keep any hot herps around my place now as I don't want to endanger my room mates, but damn, I miss my herps. I was contemplating about getting a license but I realized that keeping even a lizard or 2 is going to pose a problem when I go back to my home country for hols.
>>Shucks.
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>>However, I was contemplating about getting trained up from ground zero again as I intend to resume keeping hots in the future when I have the time and financial resources to do it safely and properly. I was wondering if there's any guys around here that could provide the expertise? Or at least let me view their collection*grin*
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>>I haven't tailed or hooked a viper for 2 years or so, much less seen a hot!
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>>Thanks and Regards
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL
