new guy

[kingjames]

hey you guys im new to the seen and trying to see if i could pick your brains im trying to grt into the venomous snake and milking biz in NC besides for the permits ill need do yall have any advice for me where to start who i could sell to your words of wisdom could help alot

[infernalis]

Ever consider a less risky venture?

[KORBIN5895]

I recommend not getting bit. That what I'd do.

[stephanbakir]

hey you guys im new to the seen and trying to see if i could pick your brains im trying to grt into the venomous snake and milking biz in NC besides for the permits ill need do yall have any advice for me where to start who i could sell to your words of wisdom could help alot

Don't take this the wrong way, because its only meant to inform you.

There are only 3 or 4 companies in the USA that are LEGALLY allowed to create antivenin, and only about a dozen people who are legally allowed to milk their snakes for the purpose of selling the venom.

I'm not sure if it requires a permit or a certificate but for the purpose of my explanation I'm going to call it a permit.
Getting the permit is a pain, and its costly, and staying certified is also not an easy task. The reason its so difficult is because you not only need to keep your animals in top shape, but your facilities need to be up to date on anything the companies you sell the venom to require. The less costly way of doing it is simply to house the animals, and take them to a venom lab which accepts drop-offs and people willing to milk their animals at a facility other then their own, but those are few and far between, and they really don't just let anyone do it because their reputations are also at risk.

The keeping of these venomous reptiles is also a risky venture, even if you do everything right, you could still get bitten. Getting bitten is a huge risk, and its costly as hell.

Lets say you jump through all the hoops, you invest the money and your facility resembles the latest batman lab, you've got your animals and your contacts and all the protocols involved with keeping venomous animals correctly (I'll get into that later) you need to understand that when you freezedry ( I think thats the process but don't quote me on it) the venom and extract what you need from the venom, the amount you get is ridiculously small. You need a large collection of animals to turn a significant profit, and by large I really do mean large. (breeding the venomous animals you own could help offset the costs and increase your profit margin)

The best way to get into hots (venomous snakes) is to get a mentor, it takes about 10 years for the average person to get trained to the point where they can train others, and I say that snickering on the inside, because trust me the average person should not be a hots mentor, or work with hots for that matter. Once you are trained your entire mindset will change and the way you not only look and think about the animals, but work with them.

Anyone preparing to own a venomous snake, or more then one should take a few precautionary measures first, the main one is THINK HARD IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU, once you have chosen your path and decided to go along with it, spend as long as you can deciding which venomous snake you want to work with (if you get a hots mentor and work with him for a few years (AS YOU SHOULD) prior to getting hots, you will know what you want and why. Build yourself a "hot room" (an escape proof room, free of anywhere an escaped animal can hide), multiple hangers in strategic locations with spare hooks (I had 2 hooks on each hanger, in 5 locations) another incredibly important item is the hanger closest to the exits, this will have your "hot book" (some people call it something else but at this time I can't remember the name) this book will contain the list of hots you own, their venom type and the antivenin that works to fight against it, which hospitals have it, whoever can speak on your behalf medically in an event which you can't and pictures of each of the individual snakes next to their name, any important phone numbers etc...


Long story short, its a huge choice and you should think long and hard before walking down this path.

[kingjames]

good looking yall for the info

[stephanbakir]

I should probably add, the biggest reward from this job is knowing that your work saves lives.

[FangsAnarchy]

I don't know much about how to milk them or ther permits or anything but there is a large reptile expo in Columbia SC in march where you could probably find some really cool snakes. You are allowed to own anything in SC without permit. Kind of scary in my opinion I think it will only take one kid to ruin animals for us all.

[Gungirl]

Hello and welcome to the forum. My advice is as simple as don't do it...

[stephanbakir]

Welcome to the forum..
I have to agree with Kat.. You say you are new to the scene so I'm assuming you mean reptiles in general.. One should never start with Hots first..

Ugh this was actually Kayla90.. stupid Stephan left himself signed on and I didn't notice..

[ZARADOZIA]

Hyas Welcome!



I recommend not getting bit. That what I'd do.

LOL Really?

[CK SandBoas]

Welcome to the forums! If you are truly new to reptiles, my advice is to start with good, beginner, non-venomous snakes, such as a Corn or Kingsnake, and slowly work your way up to more challenging, non-venomous reptiles.


Getting into Hots is definitely not a spur of the moment idea. Please do not take this the wrong way, but just the wording of your post makes me think that this is a truly an idea that just came to you overnight. There is just so many people and groups that want to see all reptiles, not just snakes, banned as pets, that if any mistake that catches the medias attention, such as an escape by a venomous reptile, or a bite by one, gives ammunition to those who would like to see all ownership of reptiles end.

So please, take all the advice that has been given here on this wonderful forum, and reconsider immediately getting into Hots.

[alessia55]

I recommend not getting bit. That what I'd do.

I couldn't have said it better myself ;) :p

and Welcome to the forum!

[lady_bug87]

... We need Kim here....

Look on the venomous forum we have on here there is a lot of info on there about why you shouldn't do it unless you are a million percent committed

[Gungirl]

Do yourself a favor.. Read this over- http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-venomous-forum/88485-hot-school-what-you-need-know.html

[kingjames]

maybe i should of worded it better im not new to venomous snakes i have hade them my whole life just never got into selling there venom i always had them as pets now im looking at it as a business

[KORBIN5895]

LOL Really?
Yep. Just seems like a bad idea to me. But what do I know.

[youngster]

What hots do you keep? Post pics! :D

[Jay]

See everyone, don't jump to conclusions, now you look silly.
To the op, welcome I wish you luck in your venture, Stephan has made some valid points from a business sense.

[KORBIN5895]

My advice is still pretty good I think.....
And welcome to this crazy forum!

[jtfife]

Hello and welcome! Sounds like an interesting goal. Good luck to you.

[millertime89]

well seeing as how you already have hots, I think you should start by posting pictures, or at the very least telling us what you keep.
Passed that, it seems Stephan gave you some good advice.