View Full Version : Mild HOTS - Mass Information Needed
Jeepers
03-04-13, 10:40 AM
So, at some point in my life, I'd like to have a small collection of snakes that are mildly venomous. Not enough to really hurt you or anything. I do love several venomous snakes, most of them are vipers, but I think a small collection of the mildly venomous would be a nice start. I've had hognoses before(silly little fellas!), though they're more of just poisonous than they are venomous.
Here's the list I have by far, if you know of any other species that are only mildly venomous, do tell!
False Water Cobra
Hognose Snake
Asian Vine Snake
Ornate Flying Snake
Daudin's Bronzeback Snake
Brief descriptions:
http://wallpaper.ototrucks.com/medium/12/False%20water%20cobra%20Snake12.jpg
(Image from: False water cobra Snake (http://exoticreptilesz.blogspot.com/2012/10/false-water-cobra-snake.html))
As far as what I know for the False Water Cobras, they get fairly large, anywhere between 6 - 8ft., substrate needs to be fairly deep to allow burrowing, ambient temp. of about 79F and basking spot of 85F, water bowl large enough to soak entire body in, humidity needs to be between 70% - 80%, I've read orchid bark is a good substrate for them, I was curious if cocohusk would work as well as that.
http://www.greglasley.net/images/W/Western-Hognose-Snake-0004.jpg
(Image from: Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) AKA Mexican Hognose Snake or Kennerly's Hognose Snake (H. n. kennerlyi) (http://www.greglasley.net/nonBirds/westernhognose.html) )
For the hognoses, the get to be between 3 - 5 ft. long, substrate can be as simple as aspen but needs to be deep for burrowing, shallow shallow water dish as they can easily drown, low humidity, basking spot of 87F - 90F and ambience of around 85F.
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/animals/520x260/AsianVineSnake.jpg
(Image from: Asian vine snake, Rivers & Streams, Reptiles, Ahaetulla sp (http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=VsGX+Lst7Qadhqe/du7rwg==) )
Watch for parasites on the Asian Vine Snake and overall health(as far as I know, many of them come with health concerns and hazards to the rest of your collection), arboreal species needs a more vertical enclosure, cocohusk can be used as substrate, large water dish, lots of branches and 'foliage' for arboreal hiding, humidity of 75% - 80%, basking spot of around 87F and ambience of around 79F, can grow between 4 - 6ft. long, mist frequently so the snake can access a source of water on foliage, these snakes can eat mice but may be more willing to accept lizards(anoles, house geckos, etc).
http://www.indiansnakes.org/Snakedatabase/Flying%20snakes/ornate%20flying%20snake/ornate2.jpg
(Image from: Ornate Flying Snake (Chrysopelea ornata ) (http://www.indiansnakes.org/Snakedatabase/Flying%20snakes/ornate%20flying%20snake/ornate%20flying%20snake.html) )
The Ornate Flying Snake is another arboreal species that will need a vertical enclosure, these also may be more willing to hunt frogs/lizards than they are to eat rodents, can grow anywhere between 2 - 4ft.(sometimes specimens can be larger or smaller), lots of branches and foliage needed, frequent misting for water source on foliage, very shy species and may need opaque enclosure or some form of tinted glass for a vertical tank, ambience of 78 - 80F and basking spot of 85 - 88F, high humidity(probably between 70% - 80%, I couldn't get a clear answer on this).
http://bangkokherps.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/painted-bronzeback-tom-charlton-2.jpg
(Image from: Painted Bronzeback | Reptiles and Amphibians of Bangkok (http://bangkokherps.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/painted-bronzeback/) )
VERY hard to find information on the Bronzeback... As far as I've read, this is yet another arboreal species that will need a vertical enclosure with plenty of branches and foliage for climbing and hiding, also another species that will more readily accept frogs and/or lizards over rodents, ambience of 78 - 82F and a basking area of around 89F, orchid bark can be used as substrate, prefers high humidity(I'd assume between 75% - 80%).
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Also, ofcourse with these set ups there would be a high on both cool and warm sides, more hides if it's a large enclosure and relevance to the snake's size, and more arboreal hideboxes for the arboreal snakes. I say this because I have a tendency to leave out details that I take as common sense.
Another note, I posted here because about half of these are considered simply poisonous and not so much venomous, so I didn't really think this was particularly suitable for the Venomous thread.
stephanbakir
03-04-13, 10:51 AM
FWC have CRAZY feed responses. I've worked and owned a few and they will almost always charge you when they smell food.
I'm working on getting some CFCs but as far as I know there are only a handful across canada and the states, the only seller I know of is Tom crutchfield and he never has them in stock (they are one of the best cobra mimics) but they are hard to keep, and only really eat frogs.
If you are thinking about getting into rearfang, I'd stay away from boiga until you get some practice, besides hoggies, green vines are easy to keep if your enclosure is set up right (make sure you can find a seller for feeder lizards (not hard at all normally) and they generally only eat live) Fwc are an option but they are twitchy compared to a few other species.
Jeepers
03-04-13, 10:58 AM
FWC have CRAZY feed responses. I've worked and owned a few and they will almost always charge you when they smell food.
I'm working on getting some CFCs but as far as I know there are only a handful across canada and the states, the only seller I know of is Tom crutchfield and he never has them in stock (they are one of the best cobra mimics) but they are hard to keep, and only really eat frogs.
If you are thinking about getting into rearfang, I'd stay away from boiga until you get some practice, besides hoggies, green vines are easy to keep if your enclosure is set up right (make sure you can find a seller for feeder lizards (not hard at all normally) and they generally only eat live) Fwc are an option but they are twitchy compared to a few other species.
Haha, you slid right past my head with all those abbreviations. The only one I do get is FWC.
And, yes, I'm well aware they have really crazy feeding responses.
Will0W783
03-04-13, 11:15 AM
CFCs are Chinese False cobras. They are rear-fanged, and stand up to hood much like the true Naja.
MoreliAddict
03-04-13, 11:41 AM
I can't speak for the other species that you listed, but a Hognose is perfectly safe to free handle..
KORBIN5895
03-04-13, 11:46 AM
You worry me a bit. Hognose aren't poisonous.
none are poisonous.....venomous perhaps, poisonous, no....
(i know....magazine/clip.....poisonous/venomous.....i'm a nerd)
Jeepers
03-04-13, 12:05 PM
I can't speak for the other species that you listed, but a Hognose is perfectly safe to free handle..
Yeh, they are. Mine was really docile. Only puffed out air when it was a baby and easily startled.
You worry me a bit. Hognose aren't poisonous.
There have been documents of, if you let them chew on you enough to get their rear-fangs in, bites causing swelling of the area(sometimes more severe swelling can occur, as in a large portion of the bitten appendage), and sometimes fever(not too common).
It is largely debated whether the Hognose is actually venomous or poisonous, but I just go the route of saying poisonous, though I at times question this, as some people do claim that Hognoses actually have primitive venom glands. Obviously they are of absolutely no harm to humans, though, and are entirely safe. The only way to get 'envenomated' is if you let it chew on you for a while. As I said, it's still debated on whether it's the saliva of the hognose or that there is presence of mild venom that causes the symptoms. I personally never had any problems with them, but, then again, I was never bitten by mine long enough to get the fangs in.
Lankyrob
03-04-13, 12:07 PM
Poison is ingested, venom is injected. Even if it takes a while for them chewing on you they are still venomous not poisonous. Garter snakes are poisonous :)
Jeepers
03-04-13, 12:13 PM
Poison is ingested, venom is injected. Even if it takes a while for them chewing on you they are still venomous not poisonous. Garter snakes are poisonous :)
Ohhh, ok, I see what you mean. So poisonous saliva is not a thing then? So then the debate is simply whether it's venomous or not, 'cause I saw plenty of people just saying poisonous instead and that it's not venomous.
The two that are debated, as far as I remember, is the Hognose and Vine Snake, though the Hognose is more widely debated.
what about copperheads?? I know nothing of venomous snakes (putting that out there first lol) but I live in copper head central and have been told a bite from a copper head is more like a whasp attack
what about copperheads?? I know nothing of venomous snakes (putting that out there first lol) but I live in copper head central and have been told a bite from a copper head is more like a whasp attack
the majority of venomous bites i've treated have been copperhead bites. they are perfectly capable of causing significant damage to an otherwise healthy person. at the very least, a very sucky hospital stay and lots of $$$$ out of your wallet in treatment. not many wasps can do that.
Jeepers
03-04-13, 01:50 PM
the majority of venomous bites i've treated have been copperhead bites. they are perfectly capable of causing significant damage to an otherwise healthy person. at the very least, a very sucky hospital stay and lots of $$$$ out of your wallet in treatment. not many wasps can do that.
Yeah, for this reason a copperhead is not on my list, and I'm looking for rear-fanged more than anything right now. Copperheads are abundant in our area, too, but we're told to avoid them unless you're a trained professional.
I was also considering a Mangrove Snake. I've admired these beauties for sooo long but I had no clue they were rear-fanged.
Yeah, for this reason a copperhead is not on my list, and I'm looking for rear-fanged more than anything right now. Copperheads are abundant in our area, too, but we're told to avoid them unless you're a trained professional.
I was also considering a Mangrove Snake. I've admired these beauties for sooo long but I had no clue they were rear-fanged.
Falsies are great snakes, very impressive looking and can get to a decent size, i've had a 9ft male, and still keep them now.
Hognoses can give a good bite, i've never had an issue with them, but a friend of mine was bitten 5 yrs ago in the gap between thumb and hand, and she spent a week in hospital from it, and to this day still gets pain in the bite area. But this is very rare and most people suffer nothing more than a bit of localized swelling.
Mangroves used to be on our DWA (dangerous wild animal) license up until a few years ago, due to the severity of their bites, a mangrove bite will certainly ruin your week, and can cause some real nasty looking bites.
this was a mangrove bite, (not me or my picture)
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/stuartd_album/DSCF4587.jpg
But they are very nice looking snakes, and are great to keep, should just be treated with caution.
Vine snakes are also very nice, but they are quite fragile, and stress very easily, so are very much look but don't touch snakes really.
really?? your in ok too not far from me at all maybe a 40 min drive not that copper head venom strength varys upon location. just simply stating lol Im on 3 acres we pull copper heads and a few cotton mouths out of my yard often :/ I have 3 boys( two 6 yr olds and a 7 yr old) luckily they have been taught well and come get me or dad when they spot one. (and we are 10 mins from hospitial)
does anybody know if children that are highly( im talking swells the size of a softball) allergic to bug bites ie mosquitos, bees, ants ect would they react harsher to a venomous reptile bite then a non allergic person??? and do hospitals keep anti venom on hand?? also lol is it true that if you are bite you should tie it off and such??
hey jendee...the venom really isn't a location variable dependent issue. it's def more of a how much was injected and your physical condition at the time. i was recently asked to give an "expert opinion" on a snakebite case where anti venom was withheld because "snakes around here aren't that 'poisonous' ". this was clearly a mistake. a bite can be misconstrued as a "no big deal" only because it may have been a dry bite, or possibly a mild envenomation (bites really are a dynamic problem rather than a static problem...i've seen bites go from what appeared to be mild in the field to fairly significant by the time they got to the ER)...
as far as your kiddos go and their allergic responses to insect bites, that will have no bearing on venom from a snakebite. two totally diff issues. yes, *most* hospitals do keep anti venom (CroFab) on hand, and if they don't, you would need to be transferred to one that does. as far as tying off, no....don't do that. your best "first responder" treatment is rapid transport to hospital. in most cases in oklahoma, you're gonna get to a facility pretty quickly.
don't know if any of this helped....to the OP, sorry to highjack thread. jendee, feel free to ask if you need any other info.
good to find another okie on the board....maybe we'll bump into each other at a show sometime...
Jeepers
03-04-13, 04:14 PM
Falsies are great snakes, very impressive looking and can get to a decent size, i've had a 9ft male, and still keep them now.
Hognoses can give a good bite, i've never had an issue with them, but a friend of mine was bitten 5 yrs ago in the gap between thumb and hand, and she spent a week in hospital from it, and to this day still gets pain in the bite area. But this is very rare and most people suffer nothing more than a bit of localized swelling.
Mangroves used to be on our DWA (dangerous wild animal) license up until a few years ago, due to the severity of their bites, a mangrove bite will certainly ruin your week, and can cause some real nasty looking bites.
this was a mangrove bite, (not me or my picture)
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/stuartd_album/DSCF4587.jpg
But they are very nice looking snakes, and are great to keep, should just be treated with caution.
Vine snakes are also very nice, but they are quite fragile, and stress very easily, so are very much look but don't touch snakes really.
Yeah, I read that, should one escape, you may end up injuring it just trying to get it contained again due to how fragole the Vine Snakes are.
Thanks for the information! That does definitely look like a nasty bite! Every snake should be treated with caution, but these obviously need a little more attention to detail than your everyday python.
don't know if any of this helped....to the OP, sorry to highjack thread. jendee, feel free to ask if you need any other info.
good to find another okie on the board....maybe we'll bump into each other at a show sometime...
Oh, naw, you're fine! :D
stephanbakir
03-04-13, 04:37 PM
CFCs are Chinese False cobras. They are rear-fanged, and stand up to hood much like the true Naja.
They look like this http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll200/AliannasPetworld/falsecobra045_op_640x426.jpg
Keep in mind that while there is a pinky mouse in this photo... 99% of them will only eat frogs.
I was also considering a Mangrove Snake. I've admired these beauties for sooo long but I had no clue they were rear-fanged.
Boiga are pretty tricky, they can be a royal pain to feed too.
Pirarucu
03-05-13, 07:10 AM
what about copperheads?? I know nothing of venomous snakes (putting that out there first lol) but I live in copper head central and have been told a bite from a copper head is more like a whasp attackWho told you that, and what were they smoking? Copperhead bites are no joke. They are usually not lethal to a healthy adult, but they can be. Just last summer someone died of a Copperhead bite, and shattered a lot of perceptions about the strength of their venom... I can find you that article if you'd like.
Honestly, the lethality of the bite shouldn't be of much concern.. You should not be getting into venomous snakes at all if you have concerns that you will be bit, because any venomous snake does have the potential to cause a very serious envenomation. All it takes is for you have a severe allergic reaction to the venom, and you might die, just like you could die from a bee sting. In short, your first priority should be avoiding a bite, not surviving one.
SSSSnakes
03-05-13, 07:26 AM
Who told you that, and what were they smoking? Copperhead bites are no joke. They are usually not lethal to a healthy adult, but they can be. Just last summer someone died of a Copperhead bite, and shattered a lot of perceptions about the strength of their venom... I can find you that article if you'd like.
Honestly, the lethality of the bite shouldn't be of much concern.. You should not be getting into venomous snakes at all if you have concerns that you will be bit, because any venomous snake does have the potential to cause a very serious envenomation. All it takes is for you have a severe allergic reaction to the venom, and you might die, just like you could die from a bee sting. In short, your first priority should be avoiding a bite, not surviving one.
Nicely stated.
Honestly, the lethality of the bite shouldn't be of much concern.. You should not be getting into venomous snakes at all if you have concerns that you will be bit, because any venomous snake does have the potential to cause a very serious envenomation. All it takes is for you have a severe allergic reaction to the venom, and you might die, just like you could die from a bee sting. In short, your first priority should be avoiding a bite, not surviving one.
Pirarucu...your statements regrading copperhead bites are spot on. I would say however, that allergic response to venom is really not an issue. Many people are allergic to bees/wasps only because they have been "exposed" to their venom previously. Similarly, in the "old days" when we treated snakebites with the Wyeth Polyvalent antivenin (horse serum), lots of people were allergic to that as they had been exposed to various horse related proteins in their past. With the venom itself, unless you've developed an allergy from a previous encounter with a venomous snake, you should worry more about the destructive nature of the venom rather than an allergic reaction...not to say that allergic reactions never happen, and apart from my experience clinically and reading the literature, i haven't had to intervene in an allergic response from the venom itself. I have had to many times intervene in an allergic response to the treatment for the bite. Just throwing this out there...
oh, and if you come across the info on the copperhead fatality, would you please PM the source to me? I'd like to include that in my data base for lectures....Thanks!! :)
Will0W783
03-05-13, 12:18 PM
As others have mentioned, copperhead bites are a serious envenomation. In fact, in the US they have the highest morbidity rate of any native venomous snake. This means that, while the bite might not kill, they cause the highest rates of complications, permanent damage and reactions. Many hospitals do not give antivenin because they are under the impression that copperhead bites are no big deal, so the individuals suffer and have more tissue and nerve damage than is necessary. I personally own two copperheads, and have fed them live once. They were each given a mouse fuzzy...they struck and within 30 seconds the mouse was dead. That's quick....now a mouse is a lot smaller than a human, but it was a nasty looking death.
Earlier in the century, people kept boomslangs because everyone thought the bite was not serious as they are rear-fanged. It wasn't until a significant number of people had died from boomslang envenomation that research was conducted to determine their toxicity. Currently, boomslangs and twig snakes are the only two rear-fanged snakes thought capable of life-threatening envenomation to a healthy person. However, there's no telling how you would react to any venom, so even a hognose bite could cause serious problems for some people.
Point being, there is no such thing as a "safe" venomous snake, and all should be treated with extreme caution.
Who told you that, and what were they smoking? Copperhead bites are no joke. They are usually not lethal to a healthy adult, but they can be. Just last summer someone died of a Copperhead bite, and shattered a lot of perceptions about the strength of their venom... I can find you that article if you'd like.
Honestly, the lethality of the bite shouldn't be of much concern.. You should not be getting into venomous snakes at all if you have concerns that you will be bit, because any venomous snake does have the potential to cause a very serious envenomation. All it takes is for you have a severe allergic reaction to the venom, and you might die, just like you could die from a bee sting. In short, your first priority should be avoiding a bite, not surviving one.
lol I have even been told you don't need to go to the hospital unless your a child.(in regards to copper heads) But this is from local rednecks, when I first moved to texas from cali. I will never keep hots (don't know if that was directed towards me) but where Im located they are every where we have a forest and part off a giant lake and the break off ponds right behind my house and I worry everyday about my children being bit. One yr when the creek bed dried my son 5 at the time stepped right on a cotton mouth that happened to be the same color as the creek rock. I didn't even see him nobody did until he opened his mouth to strike it went right between his chicken legs. I about had a stroke that day once I got him in the house and it all hit me, emotion took over!! so now venomous snakes scare the do doo outta me and I can never understand why anybody would take that risk
Jeepers
03-05-13, 02:20 PM
lol I have even been told you don't need to go to the hospital unless your a child.(in regards to copper heads) But this is from local rednecks, when I first moved to texas from cali. I will never keep hots (don't know if that was directed towards me) but where Im located they are every where we have a forest and part off a giant lake and the break off ponds right behind my house and I worry everyday about my children being bit. One yr when the creek bed dried my son 5 at the time stepped right on a cotton mouth that happened to be the same color as the creek rock. I didn't even see him nobody did until he opened his mouth to strike it went right between his chicken legs. I about had a stroke that day once I got him in the house and it all hit me, emotion took over!! so now venomous snakes scare the do doo outta me and I can never understand why anybody would take that risk
Well, it takes training for sure. Someone that has lots of experience with HOTS should always train you on how to properly care for them and handle them.
Secondly, though the bite can be fatal(even a hognose snake bite can be VERY serious if you have an allergic reaction), it doesn't bother me. Yes, I obviously don't want to be bitten, but if you practice proper HOT handling(snake-hooking, etc.), then you should be fine. Now, obviously that's not always the case, and even the most experienced handlers have an oopsy, but it does greatly reduce the chances.
Also consider, that was in the wild. They have more than enough things to hide in and easily become invisible to the eye. At least when you -own- them you know that they're there in your house and contained. As far as hiding in their own enclosure, I'd personally want to find the bugger, by just looking around without opening it, before trying to get it out. Though, for the arboreals, I know sometimes it's just HARD to find them by looking. I've had other arboreal reptiles and they stayed under all the vines and other foliage, made them impossible to find without rotating the enclosure or sticking my hand in there to move things around(weren't venomous or anything, so that's all fine in that situation).
As for kids, if you have hots(and in my opinion, any reptile except calmer ones like beardies, leopard geckos, etc.), keep a secure lock on the room for them.
Not trying to change your mind or anything, I'm just stating why that experience would not bother me when it comes to owning them vs. facing them in the wild.
Aaron_S
03-05-13, 10:29 PM
Pirarucu...your statements regrading copperhead bites are spot on. I would say however, that allergic response to venom is really not an issue. Many people are allergic to bees/wasps only because they have been "exposed" to their venom previously. Similarly, in the "old days" when we treated snakebites with the Wyeth Polyvalent antivenin (horse serum), lots of people were allergic to that as they had been exposed to various horse related proteins in their past. With the venom itself, unless you've developed an allergy from a previous encounter with a venomous snake, you should worry more about the destructive nature of the venom rather than an allergic reaction...not to say that allergic reactions never happen, and apart from my experience clinically and reading the literature, i haven't had to intervene in an allergic response from the venom itself. I have had to many times intervene in an allergic response to the treatment for the bite. Just throwing this out there...
oh, and if you come across the info on the copperhead fatality, would you please PM the source to me? I'd like to include that in my data base for lectures....Thanks!! :)
So I don't do much research into snake venom and the antivenin as I was under the impression that the "horse serum" was still in production. How is CroFab made?
RandyRhoads
03-05-13, 10:41 PM
lots of people were allergic to that as they had been exposed to various horse related proteins in their past.
What kind of freaky people do you hang out with.:unhappy:
Corey209
03-05-13, 10:54 PM
Mangrove snake
http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/05/2305-004-B34F3C7C.jpg
Mussurana
http://www.snakeman1982.com/images/Clelia%20clelia.jpg
Mock viper
http://www.ecologyasia.com/images-abc/common-mock-viper_0084.jpg
So I don't do much research into snake venom and the antivenin as I was under the impression that the "horse serum" was still in production. How is CroFab made?
Aaron, I believe Wyeth stopped production of the polyvalent horse serum anti venom a few years back. CroFab has become the standard of care with regard to North American pit viper bites. It is made from sheep immunoglobulins that have been purified to basically remove the antigenic portion of the molecule and leave the "good" parts. The sheep are injected with venom from the Eastern and Western diamond back rattlesnakes, the Mojave, and the Cottonmouth....The immunoglobulins are extracted, treated with a substance to cleave the molecule into two fragments: one fragment is the more "allergic producing" fragment, the other is the fragment that will neutralize the venom.
There are still labs (not in the US) that still use horse serum for certain species, but most are using the Ovine (sheep) model now. I think though, that Wyeth has even ceased production of the coral snake anti venom (it was horse serum based as well).
What kind of freaky people do you hang out with.:unhappy:
really freaky :D
Aaron_S
03-06-13, 08:48 AM
Aaron, I believe Wyeth stopped production of the polyvalent horse serum anti venom a few years back. CroFab has become the standard of care with regard to North American pit viper bites. It is made from sheep immunoglobulins that have been purified to basically remove the antigenic portion of the molecule and leave the "good" parts. The sheep are injected with venom from the Eastern and Western diamond back rattlesnakes, the Mojave, and the Cottonmouth....The immunoglobulins are extracted, treated with a substance to cleave the molecule into two fragments: one fragment is the more "allergic producing" fragment, the other is the fragment that will neutralize the venom.
There are still labs (not in the US) that still use horse serum for certain species, but most are using the Ovine (sheep) model now. I think though, that Wyeth has even ceased production of the coral snake anti venom (it was horse serum based as well).
Thanks for the tips. I had known several years back that sheep were starting to be used but I thought they still did both. You learn a bit more everyday!
Pirarucu
03-06-13, 12:50 PM
Pirarucu...your statements regrading copperhead bites are spot on. I would say however, that allergic response to venom is really not an issue. Many people are allergic to bees/wasps only because they have been "exposed" to their venom previously. Similarly, in the "old days" when we treated snakebites with the Wyeth Polyvalent antivenin (horse serum), lots of people were allergic to that as they had been exposed to various horse related proteins in their past. With the venom itself, unless you've developed an allergy from a previous encounter with a venomous snake, you should worry more about the destructive nature of the venom rather than an allergic reaction...not to say that allergic reactions never happen, and apart from my experience clinically and reading the literature, i haven't had to intervene in an allergic response from the venom itself. I have had to many times intervene in an allergic response to the treatment for the bite. Just throwing this out there...
oh, and if you come across the info on the copperhead fatality, would you please PM the source to me? I'd like to include that in my data base for lectures....Thanks!! :)Oh I agree, serious allergic reactions are not common in the case of a first bite. The risk is still there though, and in keeping one of these species, if you get bit once or twice then suddenly they may become very hot. My point is that venomous snakes do have the potential to be deadly, even if their venom isn't usually very potent.
I'm going to go the lazy route. Wikipedia links to the articles associated with each bite.
List of fatal snake bites in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_snake_bites_in_the_United_States)
Great little collection you got there, I also own a few that you have the Hydrodynastes being my favorite. Here is a pic of one of my newest girls. I handle with gloves and hooks mainly to get them used to it before they get larger. I consider it good practice to treat my "mildly" venomous the same as any other venomous.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g261/siksol/P2050508_zpsc11baf85.jpg
Thanks for the tips. I had known several years back that sheep were starting to be used but I thought they still did both. You learn a bit more everyday!
Glad to be of help!
Pirarucu..thanks for that link...I'm going to include some of those into my snake bite/toxicology lecture.
UwabamiReptiles
03-08-13, 10:27 AM
Not sure if you have yet but you could also look into baron's racers. Cool arboreal snakes from south america that seem to make good rear fanged species to keep.
Aaron_S
03-08-13, 07:39 PM
Great little collection you got there, I also own a few that you have the Hydrodynastes being my favorite. Here is a pic of one of my newest girls. I handle with gloves and hooks mainly to get them used to it before they get larger. I consider it good practice to treat my "mildly" venomous the same as any other venomous.
I'd recommend you actually treat them like deadly venomous snakes then. I would never recommend handling a real cobra or black mamba as you do that FWC in your gloved hand. Too close for comfort.
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