Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to be purchasing my first hot probably at Daytona.

I have it narrowed down to a few species:
Banded Rock Rattlesnake
Panamint Rattlesnake
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Temple Viper

Any opinions of info on the above species would be aprreciated.

Later, Joe

Well,The Daytona Show has decided to discontinue having a "Hot" show after last August.
I am assuming that is where you planned to purchase your first venomous snake.

Check out the Venomous Ad's on kingsnake.com and ask questions!

They are having the hot show upstairs.

Last years Daytona Show was the LAST time.
They Will Not have a Hot Show there this year, upstairs or downstairs, according to Wayne Hill.

I heard the same thing through the grapevine. But, to answer the first question, you didn't provide a lot of information regarding your experience level, your age (if you are a minor, you have no business owning a hot), whether you own your own house, your mastery of handling/management skills, etc. If you are qualified to own a venomous reptile, my recommendation, based on the list you provided, would be either a pygmy rattler or banded rock rattler; both are fairly easy to manage, both stay rather small, and both unlikely to cause a fatality in the event of a bite....."unlikely"; that means that there is still a chance that in a severe envenomation, you could be history. Ask yourself the question (that a friend of mine uses when talking to other newbie first time venomous herp keepers) is "are you willing to die for the sake of keeping a venomous snake?"

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

>>Last years Daytona Show was the LAST time.
>>They Will Not have a Hot Show there this year, upstairs or downstairs, according to Wayne Hill.
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

As to your other questions:
This is not something I have just decided to jump into blindfolded. I am 22 years old. I have been keeping snakes for quite some time now........always for breeding projects. I havent really thought of a snake as a "pet" and I doubt I ever will. I am not worried in the least about my skill as far as handling goes. I dont get bit, and I plan on keeping the streak alive. I always use the utmost caution no matter what snake I am handling at the moment.
And as to your last question:
Of course I am not ready to die to keep hots. I dont think anyone can honestly answer that question with a yes. That is why responsible keepers always are 100% careful.

That's good to hear; it sounds like you're a good candidate...safety is always number one. Good luck on your endeavor (and I agree, I'm not ready to go but it is something I fully understand and am willing to accept should it happen....my family knows that this is my profession and I know, in my heart, that I will never get bit).

>>As to your other questions:
>>This is not something I have just decided to jump into blindfolded. I am 22 years old. I have been keeping snakes for quite some time now........always for breeding projects. I havent really thought of a snake as a "pet" and I doubt I ever will. I am not worried in the least about my skill as far as handling goes. I dont get bit, and I plan on keeping the streak alive. I always use the utmost caution no matter what snake I am handling at the moment.
>>And as to your last question:
>>Of course I am not ready to die to keep hots. I dont think anyone can honestly answer that question with a yes. That is why responsible keepers always are 100% careful.
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

along those lines, has anyone thought about if something did happen to you, who else may be put in a difficult situation in regards to this animal? I know it is not an issue of getting bit and then dropping dead on the spot, but if something did happen is there someone else that could remove the "hot" or worse if somehow you could not lock it back in it's enclosure and someone else in the house, area, whatever would come across it would they know what to do?
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

That's all a part of responsible hot herp ownership; it should just be one of many considerations that have to go into play. I personally know someone who went into immediate shock after recieving a bite from a small species of rattlesnake....you can't take anything lightly.

>>along those lines, has anyone thought about if something did happen to you, who else may be put in a difficult situation in regards to this animal? I know it is not an issue of getting bit and then dropping dead on the spot, but if something did happen is there someone else that could remove the "hot" or worse if somehow you could not lock it back in it's enclosure and someone else in the house, area, whatever would come across it would they know what to do?
>>-----
>>Bryan, Atlanta GA
>>
>>1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
>>0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
>>0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
>>0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
>>1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
>>0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
>>0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
>>1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
>>0-1-0 Wife
>>2-0-0 Kids
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

That is a VERY good question.

Personally, I only handle the hots when my wife is here and awake. I have taught her what to do, as a just in case, and have spent the money on the right tools for not only myself but her to suit our handling comfort and ability level. Nothing we have is anywhere near as "deadly" as some of the other hots that are talked about, but I also understand that chance of allergic reactions and would rather error on the side of caution. Simply put, you never know how you will react if the unfortunate happens.

I also believe in starting out slooow when it comes to hots. Different ball game all together.

Just got off the phone with a vendor at the show and someone who is working it and they both said it will definately be going on.

I think Hank Molt runs the hot show...someone can email him.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC