Keeping Copperheads - Page 3

toddnbecka · 11-01-14, 12:16 AM

To each their own, but personally I'd never keep a venomous snake. Gotta consider the danger to myself, family, dogs, and even neighbors in the event of an escape. With all the great non-venomous options available that aren't potentially deadly what's the point? If you're doing it professionally that's another matter, but no way just as a hobby or a pet.
Back in my teens I imagined that keeping a Komodo dragon would be really cool. Even asked about it at the local pet shop (not realizing that they're a protected species) and I was asked "Why would you want something that's more dangerous than a crocodile?" Come to think of it, even Steve Irwin never tackled one of those...

CosmicOwl · 11-01-14, 01:17 AM

Coral cobras seem really cool to me. If I ever keep venomous snakes, I think they'll be at the type of my list.

pet_snake_78 · 11-01-14, 07:47 AM

Some of the coolest looking snakes are venomous though! I would own them inspite of the venomous factor, not because of it! However, in my state that's not possible and the rest of the family would never go for it. I do enjoy the pics others post.

SSSSnakes · 11-01-14, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Gotta consider the danger to myself, family, dogs, and even neighbors in the event of an escape.

Almost every area has some sort of venomous snakes native to it. One or even a couple escaped venomous snake is not going to terrorize the neighborhood. There is little to no chance that these snakes are going to breed and create a new population. Normally the only danger is to the keeper of these snakes and possibly anyone living in the house.

**Aaron_S** · 11-01-14, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

Almost every area has some sort of venomous snakes native to it. One or even a couple escaped venomous snake is not going to terrorize the neighborhood. There is little to no chance that these snakes are going to breed and create a new population. Normally the only danger is to the keeper of these snakes and possibly anyone living in the house.

That depends on the Country and state you live in, no?

I don't know of any venomous snakes native to Hawaii. There's only 2 in Canada and they have specific areas.

If any venomous snake got out it's not the chance of them creating a new population. You would be correct there. However, I'd be more afraid of one of these snakes going into the pipes/drainage. It wouldn't be the first time it's ever happened.

SSSSnakes · 11-01-14, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

That depends on the Country and state you live in, no?

I don't know of any venomous snakes native to Hawaii. There's only 2 in Canada and they have specific areas.

If any venomous snake got out it's not the chance of them creating a new population. You would be correct there. However, I'd be more afraid of one of these snakes going into the pipes/drainage. It wouldn't be the first time it's ever happened.

That is why I said almost.

toddnbecka · 11-02-14, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

Almost every area has some sort of venomous snakes native to it. One or even a couple escaped venomous snake is not going to terrorize the neighborhood. There is little to no chance that these snakes are going to breed and create a new population. Normally the only danger is to the keeper of these snakes and possibly anyone living in the house.

Indeed, there are copperheads that turn up occasionally, but not inside the house...
I did hear something about an albino cobra loose in a CA neighborhood a couple months ago that bit someone's dog. Would have been much worse if it had been a child. I'm not saying it's likely, but it could happen, and I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for the incident.

SSSSnakes · 11-02-14, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Indeed, there are copperheads that turn up occasionally, but not inside the house...
I did hear something about an albino cobra loose in a CA neighborhood a couple months ago that bit someone's dog. Would have been much worse if it had been a child. I'm not saying it's likely, but it could happen, and I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for the incident.

One cobra loose in Cal., in a state that has venomous snakes native to it, and yet everyone survived. The story was only aired because people hate snakes. Asia has cobras native and yet they still survive. Lets look at the statistic of how many pet venomous snake get loose and kill someone, compared to how many horses or dogs that kill people and I think you will find that the numbers snakes are irrelevant. All I hear is a lot of what if or could, but no proof.

Primal Rage · 11-02-14, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

One cobra loose in Cal., in a state that has venomous snakes native to it, and yet everyone survived. The story was only aired because people hate snakes. Asia has cobras native and yet they still survive. Lets look at the statistic of how many pet venomous snake get loose and kill someone, compared to how many horses or dogs that kill people and I think you will find that the numbers snakes are irrelevant. All I hear is a lot of what if or could, but no proof.

Excellent point!

IW17 · 11-02-14, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

One cobra loose in Cal., in a state that has venomous snakes native to it, and yet everyone survived. The story was only aired because people hate snakes. Asia has cobras native and yet they still survive. Lets look at the statistic of how many pet venomous snake get loose and kill someone, compared to how many horses or dogs that kill people and I think you will find that the numbers snakes are irrelevant. All I hear is a lot of what if or could, but no proof.

I agree 100%, but since when has common sense and logic stopped the media and ignorant masses from fear mongering and twisting up the facts. Cars kill an average of 40,000 people a year in the US alone, yet no one blinks an eye putting their children in a vehicle. But the mere mention of a large or venomous snake sends people into a tizzy.

toddnbecka · 11-02-14, 08:19 PM

Same deal with shark attacks, a swimmer bitten by a shark is headline news, yet thousands of people hit the beach (and the water) every day.

**Aaron_S** · 11-03-14, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

One cobra loose in Cal., in a state that has venomous snakes native to it, and yet everyone survived. The story was only aired because people hate snakes. Asia has cobras native and yet they still survive. Lets look at the statistic of how many pet venomous snake get loose and kill someone, compared to how many horses or dogs that kill people and I think you will find that the numbers snakes are irrelevant. All I hear is a lot of what if or could, but no proof.

You're welcome to pull up the statistics of all the deaths in Africa and Asia from the small rural towns where these snakes are able to get into people's huts.

I get your logic with dogs/horses but you're not comparing apples to apples. You're bringing up animals that are around people a whole lot more than snakes. Further to this, how many "escaped horses" are killing or injuring people? Just about the same as escaped snakes.

SSSSnakes · 11-03-14, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

You're welcome to pull up the statistics of all the deaths in Africa and Asia from the small rural towns where these snakes are able to get into people's huts.

I get your logic with dogs/horses but you're not comparing apples to apples. You're bringing up animals that are around people a whole lot more than snakes. Further to this, how many "escaped horses" are killing or injuring people? Just about the same as escaped snakes.

First off we are talking about pet snakes getting loose, not native snakes. I live in the USA were we have houses and don't live in rural huts were animals can enter freely.

Secondly you are correct that people are not around snakes as much as other animals, so this makes them even less of a threat to people. And you are also correct in saying how many escaped horses are killing people, about the same as escaped snakes, next to none. But how many pet venomous snakes kill people compared to pet horses? I'm quite sure a lot more. Remember a horse took out Superman. (Last comment in bad taste, but true).

**Aaron_S** · 11-03-14, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

First off we are talking about pet snakes getting loose, not native snakes. I live in the USA were we have houses and don't live in rural huts were animals can enter freely.

Secondly you are correct that people are not around snakes as much as other animals, so this makes them even less of a threat to people. And you are also correct in saying how many escaped horses are killing people, about the same as escaped snakes, next to none. But how many pet venomous snakes kill people compared to pet horses? I'm quite sure a lot more. Remember a horse took out Superman. (Last comment in bad taste, but true).

I can pull up instances too where people were injured by snakes. Reeves was injured not killed by a horse. Two boys died last year.

You brought up the idea that people in Asia survive living with native venomous snakes and it isn't what danger it's cracked up to be. I countered that with many people still die from bites in Asia and Africa.

Again, you're not comparing apples to apples. Pet horses are more common than pet venomous snakes. Plenty of people have been bitten and died from venomous snakes. If the numbers went up so would the injuries. I got a scathing e-mail from a family member of the older gentleman who was bit a year or two ago by one of his venomous snakes. He hadn't been bit in all the years he had been working with them. He wasn't a novice either.

My point is yes the danger isn't around every corner and each snake isn't out killing someone. However, the danger isn't as non chalant as many venomous keepers claim it be.

No matter what. Bringing a venomous snake into a home, native or otherwise, puts a greater risk on anyone living in the home and around it because THINGS CAN HAPPEN. You cannot say with any degree of certainty that a venomous snake can't get out and somehow end up in a situation with a neighbourhood child. Is it a low risk? Yes, but it's still a risk.

Georgia · 11-03-14, 01:39 PM

We can go on and on about snakes and how dangerous venomous snakes are. The snake itself isnt the danger, it's the keeper. The same goes for large constrictors... the venomous snake can bite you, but what about those that can Eat you? It's nonsense to debate about something that neither of you can win. Keep whatever you want and enjoy and preserve the animal.

Furthermore, preserve your right to keep said animal.