Just An Idea

[Colonel SB]

Okay as some of you know I am looking at getting into hots.

Now here is my idea, for my first snake get a venomoid, I know I know I'm not a fan either but hear me out. For my first "hot" I get a venomoid and treat it like a hot so I some experiance with thier care before I actually get a hot. YES/NO?

[BWSmith]

It is not the same because as much as you think you will treat it like a hot, you won't because in theback of your mind you know it is a void.

[Jungle Jen]

I agree with BWSmith. If you have a freind with hots, see if maybe you can sit in on a feeding/cleaning session? Just a thought. Good luck!

[Ed_r]

WOW did you get off easy on that one!!! There is no excuse to get a void. There are no shortcuts to keeping hots. Buy buying a void you support butchering a beautiful animal.

[SCReptiles]

Well, there is nothing that can prepare you for a cobra, except a cobra. Nothing moves like them with that strength, speed, and agility; however, in following a reasonable progression you can prepare yourself with other snakes. No one should start with a cobra. If I were you, I would get a nice collected (large) yellow belly water snake. They look, act, and move like a pit viper. Work it until you are completely comfortable and then get a pigmy rattlesnakes. Work is until you are completely comfortable and then get a copperhead. After you are comfortable with the copper, you should be ready for true rattlers and cottons. They will prepare you for large vipers like gaboons. After you have achieved that level and you want to move to cobras, getting a venomoid may be an option, but it not a good starting point. The best way to learn is with an experienced keeper, but if you do not have that option, take your time and follow this progression. You will also want to read Allen Hunters Venom 101. I have it in PDF format that I can email to you if you have an account that will transfer a file that big. Its 2 megs I think. Most people on this site are void-haters, so you may catch some heat for asking about them. Good luck.

[Snakesafe]

Start slow, dude....As Chuck said, only a cobra acts like a cobra...

Good luck just the same...

[fatboy]

I think it is best to apprentice with some one. I still cant hook my collected red belly water. Personally, I wouldn't want to take a hit off a venomoid either. I've never seen a venomoid that I know of but I hear the fangs are still there.

[BWSmith]

I still cant hook my collected red belly water
And you have a Timber? :confused:

[SCReptiles]

Keeps the timber at our place and we work it together.

[BWSmith]

ahhhhh.

[SCReptiles]

I sent the water home with him to practice. And now he is getting a pigmy…so forth, so on and like that. =)

[fatboy]

Calm down wee man. I can tail the red belly but cannot double hook him. I wanna see anyone that can double hook him :)

[Snakesafe]

Hmmmm...Double hook a red bellied water??? I'll try!! May look like an idiot doing but I'll try!

[fatboy]

Yeah, mine has a history of clowning people. I'll tell you the story off of here.

[Mustangrde1]

I will be have and only say if your not 100% ready for a hot dont get one,I have said this too hundreds of people get a Coachwhip. Write down on a piece of paper """ I could have died just now """" date it , time it and after 6 months see how many times you would be dead. and then sit down and think hard about it , if you still want to get one then get a HOT not a void, please do not contribute to these butchers

[The_Omen]

Another very real aspect of working voids, is depending on the surgery (duct removal/cauterizing) it is possible that the snake will eventually regain its ability to inject venoms.

Another very real and scary aspect, is if the snake in question is sold as a void, YET, has never been altered.
It happens.

If your area requires permits etc for hots, then most likely you will need to aquire the same permits etc, even for a 'void' as if bred, its' offspring will be unaltered hots.

[reverendsterlin]

I too mention coachwhips to folks looking to hots, but the are no real substitutes. Voids bother me because most vets are clueless about the proceedure and in many instances (not this one) they are used to fulfill some macho ego BS. There are numerous species that have a mild enough venom to forgive a mistake while still being potent enough to get your attention, but practice with an experienced handler is where real knowledge is usually gained.

Nothing wrong with hooking problems, I have hooking problems with my cantil and will happily let others show me their masterfull skill (I'll be in another room till they figure to call me to tong it back into the cage lol)

[JD@reptiles]

If you wanna try a hot, start with a rear fanged snake or a white lipped python.

[Colonel SB]

I've had white lips before, I don't like voids either but it was just an idea :p

I would love to learn form someone but I don't know anyone who keeps them in my area. There is no one where I am :(

[reverendsterlin]

could always move down here to New Mexico, I'm always looking for someone to go scut hunting with me lol