Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking to pick up my first hot soon and planned on starting with a copperhead. Seems thats a standed for a first hot. My question is this. I have a friend who started working with a breeder out in MO and this guy also works at the zoo there. I was indirectly told that i should start with a Rino or something of that nature because copperheads and fast and dont hook and the opposite can be said about a Rino Viper. Can some one give me some feed back because starting with a Rino doesnt seem like a good idea.

Well as far as their handling is concerned, I am not qualified to comment. However, the problem I see with having a Rhino Viper as a first hot is basically if you are bitten by a copperhead.....you will most likely be ok with rather prompt medical attention. If you are bitten by a Rhino Viper....you are in serious trouble. Most hospitals in the U.S. aren't going to carry appropriate antivenin for this species while the copperhead they can. A zoo's stock of antivenin doesn't count as a viable source in the event that you get tagged. I know of several copperhead keepers that would certainly disagree with the handling comment. To my knowledge, copperheads are rather simple to work with. This doesn't neglect their dangerousness, but just serves to say that you would be much more recommended to start with a copperhead. If this is your first hot, then a Rhino Viper is most likely WAY out of your league.

Hope this helps,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

I agree with Chris about the worse case scenario. I have kept both Rhinos & Copperheads. In my experience, Copperheads are easier to maintain and ride a hook after acclimating to captivity. Rhinos will usually ride a hook but you end up useing two hooks to support them as adults. Rhinos as juveniles need to be soaked on a regular basis to be sure they are drinking. They are known to dehydrate due to the inability of locating/accesing water bowls. They can also instill a false sense of security because of their seemingly laid back attitude. Don't kid yourself, they can jump up and do a 180' on you! I would recommend the Copperhead. To tell you the truth, I am surprised that a zoo keeper would recommend an exotic (highly venomous) hot over a native (not so hot) for a first hot.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
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Conservation through Education

Let's make it 3 out of 3. Your firend at the zoo should have known better. Yeah, crawl speed for the copperhead is faster, but strike speed is not. Fang length, toxicity & chances of a fatal bite all go to the rhino. Attitude probably does as well, though that can vary. The rhino is more difficult (husbandry intensive) to keep, although the copperheads can hit a point where it seems there's nothing you can do to get them back on feed. There's a long list of hots I would recommend as first hots before I'd put nasicornis on it, including some Naja.

~~Greg~~

I sent you an email several days ago and I was wondering if you received it? I am not trying to be a pest or anything, just wanted to see if you happened to get it or if it went to your "spam" bin or something.

Thnx,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

Chris,
I must not have. Try again.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

Tim,

Just so you are aware, I have resent it. It might have possibly gone to your trash bin or something.

Thanks,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

The only thing that goes into Tim's trash bin is empty pizza boxes and beer cans. LOL!

And I thought Randall was going to respond to my comment about the zoo keeper reference! What was I thinking?

Chris,
I got your e-mail. Give me a couple days to respond.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

Just wanted to be sure that you were still utilizing your kingsnake registered email address.

Thanks for your time!

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

4 for 4...

Very, Very bad idea for a beginner to have a Rhino. For all the reasons posted above plus:

They get very stressed out and die if they are disturbed. They cause a number of bites in the US even with experienced keepers under estimating this snakes ability to get you when you think you're safe. One bite caused death.

Al

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You can take the snake out of the jungle but you can't take the jungle out of the snake.

One bite from a rhino and you are most likely dead because I am assuming that you will be like most people and not carry your own supply of antivenin (which is irresponsible in my opinion). If you live in Missouri, most hospitals will carry CroFab (even though, once again, that is your responsibility and to keep a supply of A/V will run you in the thousands) to treat a copperhead bite; I would much rather take my chances with that. They are actually very easy to work with but do require the utmost of attention to detail. If you are a minor, I'm wasting my breath because minors shouldn't own venomous herps.

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

>>4 for 4...
>>
>>Very, Very bad idea for a beginner to have a Rhino. For all the reasons posted above plus:
>>
>>They get very stressed out and die if they are disturbed. They cause a number of bites in the US even with experienced keepers under estimating this snakes ability to get you when you think you're safe. One bite caused death.
>>
>>Al
>>
>>
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>>You can take the snake out of the jungle but you can't take the jungle out of the snake.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL