Training for a Copperhead

apps567 · 06-16-12, 05:00 PM

I am a relative intermediate in reptile care as I have a leopard gecko, a bearded dragon, and a corn snake. Now, somewhere very long down the road, I want to get a copperhead, no other venomous snakes. Copperheads are just so beautiful. Since I have no previous experience with aggresive snakes, I was thinking about keeping a similarly sizedsnake with a similar temperament for a few years or so. I was thinking of keeping a banded water snake and wearing no gloves or anything as motivation to not get bit and as training for the copperhead. Do you guys think this is a good idea and, if after keeping a banded water snake and not getting bit at all, I would be ready for a copperhead? I heard they were rather sluggish but when handling them I will still be extremely alert dont worry.

shaunyboy · 06-17-12, 03:45 AM

hello and welcome

you really should find a " mentor " if you want to get into venomous snakes mate

cheers shaun

alessia55 · 06-17-12, 08:58 AM

Welcome to the forum! Please read our sSNAKESs forum rules.

Finding a mentor (someone who already owns venomous snakes) to train you in proper handling would be better. They will be able to give you more practical experience and they will be better at assessing whether you are ready to own a venomous snake.

Lankyrob · 06-17-12, 09:26 AM

Not getting bit by a non venemous snake is NOT training for dealing with a venomous one, get yourself a mentor amd when (if) they say you are ready then you get your own venemous snakes.

SSSSnakes · 06-17-12, 09:39 AM

I have been asked to mentor and train people for handling venomous snakes. I have always in the past turned them down, because I do not want to be the one who gets someone killed. Advancing into the world of venomous snakes could be the last thing you do. I have considered mentoring a young man who has worked with me for many years and wants to train for venomous. He has shown great responsibility and dedication. He will most likely be the only one I will ever teach. If you like to look at Copperheads, the are just as beautiful n pictures and a lot safer to view that way.

GarterPython · 06-17-12, 10:00 AM

I think getting a difficult snake will help you a little bit on how unpredictable they are but other than that you need to find a mentor that can train you up to handling and owning a venemous snake. That might be a long time away so just be paisent.

BarelyBreathing · 06-17-12, 10:08 AM

Just because you've had success caring for a few beginner reptiles does not make you an intermediate keeper. Also, venomous snakes are NOT for intermediate keepers. Venomous snakes are for the most advanced snake keepers only. Get yourself an "intermediate" snake to move up in experience, like a boa constrictor. From there, start getting into more aggressive species like amazon tree boas or green tree pythons. And from there, you get into even more advanced animals like emerald tree boas and Biak green tree pythons. THEN start looking for a mentor. Most mentors won't take on somebody with little experience. They look for somebody who has about ten years experience with a LOT of different species, and they look for somebody who is safely able to handle very fast and very aggressive animals.

botis · 06-17-12, 04:12 PM

Certainly, having experience with a wide variety of non-vens will be helpfull, especially regaurding husbandry. However, they will in no way prepare you to handle a venomous snake. They only way to learn how to handle a copperhead is to actually work with a copperhead, the only way to learn how to handle a cobra is to work with a cobra, ect. As everyone else said, it's always best to find someone with experience to show you the ropes. In the meantime, start hitting the books. There is wealth of knowledge available in books, and on the web, if you take the time to look.

Jay · 06-17-12, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

Just because you've had success caring for a few beginner reptiles does not make you an intermediate keeper. Also, venomous snakes are NOT for intermediate keepers. Venomous snakes are for the most advanced snake keepers only. Get yourself an "intermediate" snake to move up in experience, like a boa constrictor. From there, start getting into more aggressive species like amazon tree boas or green tree pythons. And from there, you get into even more advanced animals like emerald tree boas and Biak green tree pythons. THEN start looking for a mentor. Most mentors won't take on somebody with little experience. They look for somebody who has about ten years experience with a LOT of different species, and they look for somebody who is safely able to handle very fast and very aggressive animals.

Great advice, although I wouldn't consider a boa constrictor "immediate" I would class them as novice/beginner.

snake man12 · 06-17-12, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay0133

Great advice, although I wouldn't consider a boa constrictor "immediate" I would class them as novice/beginner.

I would assume it depends on which genus of boa constrictor. Wouldn't you?

BarelyBreathing · 06-17-12, 05:08 PM

I'm classifying them as beginner intermediate, because of their size.

bushsnake · 06-17-12, 05:39 PM

Venomous were some of my first snakes simply cuz thats what i was passionate about, people will tell ya you need to do this or that but you are the only one whos knows if you could handle a venomous snake or not...good luck to you and dont get bit

SSSSnakes · 06-17-12, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushsnake

Venomous were some of my first snakes simply cuz thats what i was passionate about, people will tell ya you need to do this or that but you are the only one whos knows if you could handle a venomous snake or not...good luck to you and dont get bit

Great advice from someone who would free handle a Rattlesnake.(Sarcasm intended.)

knox · 06-17-12, 06:36 PM

25 + years of keeping snakes, and I still have no desire to keep venomous.

If I can't hold it, I don't want it ;-)

bushsnake · 06-17-12, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

Great advice from someone who would free handle a Rattlesnake.(Sarcasm intended.)

i was kind of being sarcastic myself...see the winking smiley face or did you not get that?