Cobras as pets...

[Scubadiver59]

Watch the ViperKeeper (VK) videos if you want to find out what it's like to keep Elapids, etc. He's a crusty old *******, but he's brutally honest, and has been keeping deadly snakes since he was 16 and he's now in his 60's (I think). He has over 150 snakes, all deadly, and has plenty of insight, information, etc.

Watch his FAQ videos, especially the one from 2012 (I think) where he mentions something about deadly snake handling workshops at some of the zoos. They aren't free, but it will get you basic experience before you work with someone else for further education, something he highly recommends before even thinking of getting your own. He also keeps a shotgun handy for killing snakes that get loose...imagine if someone else got bitten by a snake that got loose.

You will need vials of anti-venom, especially for the Elapids, since you will most probably get bit at some point. VK was bitten a year or two ago by a Black Mamba (I think) and he was in the hospital for two days, used his own supply of anti-venom, and still racked up a $12k hospital stay. Anti-venom goes for $6k+ per vial, and even Rattlesnake bites can consume 5-6 vials. There are plenty of stories of bite victims racking up almost $100k hospital bills during a week's stay for treatment. Can you afford that?

Good luck if you ever get one, and I hope I never read about you in the Darwin Awards news feeds.