Keeping Rattlesnakes (and a couple other Questions's)

[stevesemerko]

I am trying to gather information on keeping rattlesnakes and I am wondering if anyone who keeps any species of rattlesnake could let me know their experiences with them. Also if you have any suggestions as to which rattlesnakes are "easiest" (I use that term loosely, I don't imagine they are at all easy to deal with) to keep and which ones should be kept for the more experienced. I am trying to get as much information and training as I can. Also I would like to know what the essentials in a hot room are.

Thanks

Steve

[blackspire_04]

I thought venemous snakes were illegal to be kept captive in canada?

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Depends where you are. For example: They are completely illegal in alberta, but not in B.C.

C.

[ChurleR]

I only know about the Eastern species of rattlesnakes. Timber rattlers (<i>Crotalus horridus</i>) are hard to deal with on a physical level. Restraint and tubing tends to send them into a thrashing fit, and a potent bite makes that no fun. Also Timber and Canebrake rattlers are endangered and close to extinct in some areas making them illegal. Eastern Diamondbacks (<i>C. adamanteus</i>)tend to be a little bit more mellow but grow to be pretty huge. If you don't want to dish out the money for a rabbit every two weeks or so, don't bother. Dusky Pygmies (<i>Sistrurus miliarius barbouri</i>) are probably your best bet for a rattlesnake starter, but they can be hard to start on feeding and I've found out that the smaller snakes can be harder to work with. As for a hot room, I've seen BWSmith's setup posted somewhere on the boards, and he has the best I could ever imagine.
If you're new to hots, you'd better watch some pros handle rattlesnakes first, they have a strike range you never want to underestimate.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

First off, rattlesnakes, IMO, are a great venomous snake to keep. This is of course when your following a good set of guidelines for your safety.

I cannot tell anyone to not keep them, because as far as I am concerned any person has the right to do so. What I do tell people is that it is something to take on with a mature attitude and a bit of patience and a know how of the species you intend to keep.

I keep a few species, those being the AZ Black (C. cerberus), Western Diamondback (C. atrox), Sonoran Desert Sidewinder (C. c. cercobombus), and a Southwestern Speckled (C. m. pyrrhus). The best natured ones in my collection are...... well.... all of them except the Diamondback. But, I feel they get a bad rap for being as defensive as folks say. Over the years, my opinion is that they are generally more mild natured than the common word says of them. Mojaves are for the most part pretty aggressive. Speckleds can be quite defensive, or basically any rattler for that matter. Blacktails are a personal favorite to keep, and are generally pretty calm.

Rattlers can be hard to manipulate on a hook, but that is all I use. I do not use tongs, shields or all those fancy schmancy tools. Just hooks. I also use holding boxes when they are removed from caging.

The best species that I have worked with are the AZ Black, and most other oreganus and viridis species. But keeping them is also a personal interest, so I am sure there are species you would like to work with. I would take this into consideration heavily, and take into the fact that it is highly benificial to take on some training with venomous before you get started.


Here is something you should read. This is simply a quick letter describing what I just said a bit further. You can check out the rest of the site here.

[thunder]

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/sh...sort=1&cat=500

this girl is very calm, has never made any aggressive motions towards me. however, i sometimes think it is more dangerous to work with a docile hot, because you risk letting your guard down. her mate is grumpy, but at least i know what to expect. i use a shield, hooks, and kevlar.

[cantil]

Starting out I'd recommend sistrurus (established ones as babies are finicky), although all of c.m.pyrrhus' recommendations are excellent. My experience with crotalus has been that they are excellent animals to work with and for the most part will sit on a hook and provide no massive husbandry problems as long as basic requirements for caging, temps and humidity are met.
I'd stay away from any of the larger rattlesnakes (adamanteus, atrox, durrisus spp., etc.) just because the size in itself is tricky initially and the more leathal ones (mojaves and durissus). Remember that nothing beats having someone show the ropes first hand and that any bite from a rattlesnake presents the risk for a significant injury or death.

As for a hot room the most basic requirements are that it be escape proof, free of clutter, and provide sufficient space for you to work safely with the animals you keep.

[stevesemerko]

C.m.pyrrhus - I know that I should watch and train with somone first, I have been looking but I think I am going to have to either go stateside or find another hot keeper in Canada willing to train me. But trust me, I won't be pissing around with any hot until I am damn sure about what I am doing. But when I do I am thinking of working mainly with rattlesnakes (black-tails, pygmies, diamondbacks eastern and western, and rock rattlesnakes have peaked my intrest most), and maybe a few of the bigger vipers and elapids later down the line.

Thunder - That is a gorgeous rattler! Is it albino?

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information

Steve

[Matt]

Steve, I would stay small at first, i find them easier to deal with and not hard to keep on a hook.

My opinin would be rocks, pygmys or sidewinders as a first

good luck

[Shad0w]

Massassauga's are nice smaller rattlers that dont have too bad a bite.

[thunder]

stevesmerko: not an albino. she is an aruba island rattler, c. d. unicolor. fairly uncommon is captivity, and i believe that they are protected. she and her mate are from zoo stock. aint she just a peach?

[stevesemerko]

She is gorgeous!

[SCReptiles]

I respectfully disagree with ChurleR’s take on rattlesnakes. I currently keep timbers, canebrakes, eastern diamondbacks, and all 3 sub-species of pigmies. I have worked with almost all species at one time or another. I have found timbers/canes to be the easiest Crotalus species to work with. Most adjust easily to captivity and work easy. These are the most popular snakes in the snake handling churches, reason being is they tame out with little effort. Its true that the EDB is the largest species in the world, but only exceptional specimens ever break 5 feet in length. I have a full grown female from N FL locale that is barely over 3 feet. My bigger ones do take rabbits, but only one every other week and only 9 months of the year.

[SCReptiles]

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