Mad Spitting Cobra

[Jim Smith]

Beautiful and amazing snake, but I must say, I can't say that I would ever keep hots; ever. As part of my work as an aviation safety consultant, human factors plays a big part of many if not most of the incidents and near misses that take place in the industry. Human factors for those who may not know involves the human limitations we live with as part of being human. It includes such things as fatigue, loss of situational awareness, slowed reflexes etc. The analogy I make to people is to ask them if they've ever driven their car to work or home, and gotten there and stopped to think I can't remember anything about the drive home. I know I made the drive since I'm here, but I couldn't tell you anything about what I saw or experienced on the drive. That's loss of situational awareness. We ALL make mistakes, especially if we're doing something that we've done a thousand times before. My fear of non-professionals keeping hots is that the person will make that small mistake, lose situation awareness, just for a second, and then it happens. They very well may not have proper medical attention available in time and the end result will be a tragedy. I can't help but think that there are two kinds of people that keep hots, those who have been bitten and those that eventually will. I agree that they are amazing animals, beautiful and fascinating but simply not worth the risk of keeping them as pets. Sorry for the long semi-rant, but it's just one man's opinion.

[Starbuck]

So if there is no effect to oral ingestion then why the precautions of wearing the mask etc? Put another way: how can the venom effect the eyes and their mucus membranes, but have no effect in the mouth? Honestly curious, but am on my phone amd can't research things properly right now

[mclund]

Originally Posted by Starbuck

So if there is no effect to oral ingestion then why the precautions of wearing the mask etc? Put another way: how can the venom effect the eyes and their mucus membranes, but have no effect in the mouth? Honestly curious, but am on my phone amd can't research things properly right now

The mucous membranes is what are most susceptible. Think of it this way, spray alcohol on you skin or mouth there are no ill effects, spray it in you eyes and you will run around screaming like a little girl. As long as there are no open wounds where the venom can get into the blood stream, there should not be any problems. Keep in mind, this is as long as you are not allergic to the venom. Venom in the eyes can cause permanent damage if medical attention is not applied.

[Will0W783]

Beautiful spitting cobra! I love those guys, but they are not fun to work with. My mentor had me get his two black-necked spitters out of their cage for cleaning once. I ended up with venom all up and down my arms and all over the face shield and my shirt. It's sticky, almost like a slightly thinner maple syrup, and it smelled weird. Nasty stuff.

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Beautiful and amazing snake, but I must say, I can't say that I would ever keep hots; ever. As part of my work as an aviation safety consultant, human factors plays a big part of many if not most of the incidents and near misses that take place in the industry. Human factors for those who may not know involves the human limitations we live with as part of being human. It includes such things as fatigue, loss of situational awareness, slowed reflexes etc. The analogy I make to people is to ask them if they've ever driven their car to work or home, and gotten there and stopped to think I can't remember anything about the drive home. I know I made the drive since I'm here, but I couldn't tell you anything about what I saw or experienced on the drive. That's loss of situational awareness. We ALL make mistakes, especially if we're doing something that we've done a thousand times before. My fear of non-professionals keeping hots is that the person will make that small mistake, lose situation awareness, just for a second, and then it happens. They very well may not have proper medical attention available in time and the end result will be a tragedy. I can't help but think that there are two kinds of people that keep hots, those who have been bitten and those that eventually will. I agree that they are amazing animals, beautiful and fascinating but simply not worth the risk of keeping them as pets. Sorry for the long semi-rant, but it's just one man's opinion.

I keep HOT's for educational programs I perform. I have been bit and I have over 33 years as a professional handler. My snakes are not my "pets", they are kept for a purpose.

As far as risks go, you face risk every time you walk out the door. My venomous snakes have bitten me once. I have had 3 major car crashes that threatened my life, that were not my fault. I rode a motorcycle for most of my life and took my life in my hand every time I got on the bike. Life is full of risks and if you are afraid to take some of them, then I guess you will live a life not worth living.

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

I keep HOT's for educational programs I perform. I have been bit and I have over 33 years as a professional handler. My snakes are not my "pets", they are kept for a purpose.

As far as risks go, you face risk every time you walk out the door. My venomous snakes have bitten me once. I have had 3 major car crashes that threatened my life, that were not my fault. I rode a motorcycle for most of my life and took my life in my hand every time I got on the bike. Life is full of risks and if you are afraid to take some of them, then I guess you will live a life not worth living.

Jerry I don't think the comment was directed at you so much as it was to keepers who only keep them for pets. Obviously you have purposes to keeping them other than personal interests or curiosity. The average Joe keeping one or two because they like that species is far more likely who he was referring to.
I personally would never keep hots but have no issues with those who do. Same as giants. As long as your neighbors are going to be safe from exposure to your animal go for it if you like.

[mclund]

Beautiful and amazing snake, but I must say, I can't say that I would ever keep hots; ever. As part of my work as an aviation safety consultant, human factors plays a big part of many if not most of the incidents and near misses that take place in the industry. Human factors for those who may not know involves the human limitations we live with as part of being human. It includes such things as fatigue, loss of situational awareness, slowed reflexes etc. The analogy I make to people is to ask them if they've ever driven their car to work or home, and gotten there and stopped to think I can't remember anything about the drive home. I know I made the drive since I'm here, but I couldn't tell you anything about what I saw or experienced on the drive. That's loss of situational awareness. We ALL make mistakes, especially if we're doing something that we've done a thousand times before. My fear of non-professionals keeping hots is that the person will make that small mistake, lose situation awareness, just for a second, and then it happens. They very well may not have proper medical attention available in time and the end result will be a tragedy. I can't help but think that there are two kinds of people that keep hots, those who have been bitten and those that eventually will. I agree that they are amazing animals, beautiful and fascinating but simply not worth the risk of keeping them as pets. Sorry for the long semi-rant, but it's just one man's opinion.

I don't think anyone should have to justify why they want to keep venomous snakes. It is a personal choice. Florida regulates keepers through a permit system. For what it takes to get a permit, I would deem those people as professionals. I keep them as a hobby, that is my choice. I do not need anyone to decide for me what risks I expose myself to, as long as I don't endanger the public. Strict regulations, inspections and bite protocols are all a part of being a venomous keeper, at least in Florida. No disrespect intended Jim, but as Jerry said,"life is full of risks" and that is what makes it worth living.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by mclund

I don't think anyone should have to justify why they want to keep venomous snakes. It is a personal choice. Florida regulates keepers through a permit system. For what it takes to get a permit, I would deem those people as professionals. I keep them as a hobby, that is my choice. I do not need anyone to decide for me what risks I expose myself to, as long as I don't endanger the public. Strict regulations, inspections and bite protocols are all a part of being a venomous keeper, at least in Florida. No disrespect intended Jim, but as Jerry said,"life is full of risks" and that is what makes it worth living.

Even if the majority of hot keepers died by being bitten I would still want it to be legal to own hots. What you subject yourself to is your choice and I'm no one to tell you what's good/bad for you.

Even with drugs. I don't care how bad krokodil is, if people want to take a flesh eating substance let them.

The only time I would want myself or others to step in and intervene is when other people start getting hurt.(Ie. drug that turns you into a zombie and kills others, or if your snake gets out and kills the neighbors children)

[psychocircus]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

I keep HOT's for educational programs I perform. I have been bit and I have over 33 years as a professional handler. My snakes are not my "pets", they are kept for a purpose.

As far as risks go, you face risk every time you walk out the door. My venomous snakes have bitten me once. I have had 3 major car crashes that threatened my life, that were not my fault. I rode a motorcycle for most of my life and took my life in my hand every time I got on the bike. Life is full of risks and if you are afraid to take some of them, then I guess you will live a life not worth living.

Originally Posted by mclund

I don't think anyone should have to justify why they want to keep venomous snakes. It is a personal choice. Florida regulates keepers through a permit system. For what it takes to get a permit, I would deem those people as professionals. I keep them as a hobby, that is my choice. I do not need anyone to decide for me what risks I expose myself to, as long as I don't endanger the public. Strict regulations, inspections and bite protocols are all a part of being a venomous keeper, at least in Florida. No disrespect intended Jim, but as Jerry said,"life is full of risks" and that is what makes it worth living.

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Even if the majority of hot keepers died by being bitten I would still want it to be legal to own hots. What you subject yourself to is your choice and I'm no one to tell you what's good/bad for you.

Even with drugs. I don't care how bad krokodil is, if people want to take a flesh eating substance let them.

The only time I would want myself or others to step in and intervene is when other people start getting hurt.(Ie. drug that turns you into a zombie and kills others, or if your snake gets out and kills the neighbors children)

Agree with all of this. Who cares what others do? I'd imagine it's rare for "pet" hots to kill people other than their owners. A hobbyist could be just as qualified as an experienced zoo keeper. It all comes down to risk/reward for the individual keeper.

[SSSSnakes]

[QUOTE=mclund;898607Strict regulations, inspections and bite protocols are all a part of being a venomous keeper, at least in Florida.[/QUOTE]

In NY you also have to be licensed to keep HOTs and giant reptiles.

[QUOTE=psychocircus;898616]A hobbyist could be just as qualified as an experienced zoo keeper./QUOTE]

Some times even more qualified, as a few years ago the Bronx Zoo lost a Monocled Cobra for a few days. They put it in a temporary enclosure and forgot to secure the lid. The Reptile House had to be shut down for a few days while they searched for the snake.

[psychocircus]

Some times even more qualified, as a few years ago the Bronx Zoo lost a Monocled Cobra for a few days. They put it in a temporary enclosure and forgot to secure the lid. The Reptile House had to be shut down for a few days while they searched for the snake.

Exactly, that doesn't only apply to snakes either.

[venom_king]

Originally Posted by psychocircus

Agree with all of this. Who cares what others do? I'd imagine it's rare for "pet" hots to kill people other than their owners. A hobbyist could be just as qualified as an experienced zoo keeper. It all comes down to risk/reward for the individual keeper.

so true in my views it would be an absolute honour to own 1 hot let alone all the hots on my wish list!!

[Will0W783]

I agree with the other posts here, that we should be allowed to keep hots privately, as long as the individuals are properly prepared to care for the snakes in question. The vast majority of exotic venomous are completely incapable of surviving long enough in the US to pose a threat to anyone other than their keeper. Some exceptions might be the more tropical states like Florida, but even Florida gets cold in the winter.
I have been keeping snakes for 9 years, and venomous for 3.5, and the vipers are my true passion. I adore these creatures and consider it an honor to be able to care for them and work with them on a daily basis. They are such amazing, beautiful and perfectly evolved animals, that to be able to see them daily is paradise to me. I do not feel that the government has the right to tell me I can't keep them. I do, however, advocate requiring that people meet certain requirements to keep hots. In PA, there are no permits or anything required, you just have to be 18 years old. I think it would be a good idea to require a training course or certain hours of work with a mentor, like Florida does. This way, only people who are serious about the hobby will put in the work to get licensed.

[Terranaut]

So where is the video?

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

So where is the video?

I have no idea how to upload a video on this forum.