security measures..

[Dom]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone would explain their meausres and techniques used when dealing with hots .. Please be very desritvie .. It will be greatly apreciated.

I though it would be a bad idea to give this information out to anyone who wishes to read but I have come to the realization that if someone wishes to deal with hots, he will one way or the other so it's better for him to have the proper information ..

If you want to let others know how u do it, that would be great - pics are welcome! I think everyone could profit wether a long time handler or a new comer..

Tx in advance

Dom

[BWSmith]

Venom 101 by Allen Hunter covers about everything. I am converting it into book format for him and should have it ready for publication in a few months.

[Matt]

there are alot of pretty decent books on venomous keeping....but i guess I'll state a couple of obvious precautions that Im sure everyone knows, but it wont hurt to over state in a matter like this.

- ABSOLUTELY escape proof caging W/ lock and key in a secure place

- hots should be kept in a room that is also escape proof with locking door (some suggest a window to look in as well)

- feed with hemostats or something long enough to keep out of strike range

- never put your hand inside the enclosure, use hooks, grab sticks, etc...but never reach in.

- DO NOT put your hand or anything else on mesh or wire lids etc. when dealing with vipers and pit vipers....their fangs can come through the screen....and they do sometimes

- MY OPINION....anitvenin should be kept on hand for the species you keep...i think it is irresponsible to own a hot snake and expect someone else to bail you out (or belong to an antivenin bank, if there is one close enough)...there are some specific routes you need to take to get this....mail me if you are interested

- have emergency procedures, hospital directions, species names etc...on hand and ready to go, in the event of a serious bite.

- you need the appropriate equipment for the species kept....right size hooks, maybe tongs or grab sticks of the right size

- unless milking, sexing, force feeding or medically examining the snake, there is never a good reason to put your hands on a hot....but for now, i wouldnt attempt any of these until more experience is obtained


ok...i just realized that this list could go on forever, so im gonna stop. If you have any most specific questions ask away, Im sure someone can answer.
sorry I babbled

[Dom]

Honestly Matt .. thats excacly what i wanted to hear .. Blab awaylol If u have more say them .. I have heard many and talked to many and simply looking for everyones advice..

Like wear still toed boots ..

Always open the containers with hemostats

Theres so many - and tats what i want to hear!

Thanks everyone ..

Venon 101 ?? sorry i am not following you BWSmith .. is this a book?

[dlucka]

That's great to hear some advise on those hot snake i never get enough of reading on, specially when it's from some one that work with. I really love them but i'll not have one in my home for the safety of my kids. I hope some day i can have the chance
to work with some hot or just be around when some one do it. They really have some thing special those hot.

Dom, Venom 101 i think it's on his way to be a book.

BWSmith, i found long a go a post that you did on, hope you'll not be mad
if i put the link here but i found it interesting.

Sorry but it's on a other forum... :(

http://www.redtailboa.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=index&action=viewtopic&topic=8483&23

Around this you can find a interview on Allen Hunter.

[BWSmith]

Venom 101 (formerly Hots 101) was a series of articles written by Allen Hunter. It goes over virtually every safety, handling, caging, and transportation issue with hots that you could imagine. It is the ONLY venomous husbandry document that I consider worth it's weight (but I am sure there are some I have not read). I am working on turning it into a book right now, still waiting on some new material from Allen.

As for the link dlucka. Thanks. I am not sure about posting links to other forums and i really did not feel like retyping that article! Most of that will probably be included in Venom 101. That was just me ranting off the top of my head, which i have a tendancy to do :) Luckily my wife is a writer, so she edits everything for me before I get anything published.

[cobraman]

VERY wel put, Matt. You are right on the money with each point you made. I hope new venomous keepers will use that as a guide. I could not think of one thing to add to what you wrote. Great job!
Blessings
Ray Hunter

[Matt]

thanks Ray!