Starter Snake

[Hamster of Borg]

My eastern hognose would probably roll over and play dead if I brought out a hook to move her around.

I do like the idea of starter hots being "someone elses". Thats great for learning handling techniques and basic day-to-day cleaning/health procedures, but then you don't get the issue of making sure you have secure caging, a secure room, and putting other people who you may share your home with at risk. So few people think about that, or dismiss it with "It'll be locked in a cage, nobody else will have to deal with it." They are in the same residence, its their problem too, do they accept the risk as well?

Dunno... theres so much more to think about than "Whats a good starter snake?" Hell, I know people who started with monocle cobras. I myself started with mangroves and went right to massasaugas. The main thing to think about is are YOU ready for the responsibility and liability.

Ham

[Samba]

Jeremy,

Ha! New Mexico PRISTINE? Maybe in commercials! Just Kidding! I wanted to explain why I suggested Hogs for first timers, but I think you did it for me, without really getting my point! I suggested Hogs because they are placid, not that dangerous and very, very cute (not to mention captive-bred). I free handle mine as well.... now if Mike would like to learn how to use a hook, then yes, he should first experiment with a fiesty non-ven, then graduate to an average hot. I'm not gonna sit here like some people and say to Mike, "You have very little experience with snakes," (by his own admission) " Why don't you go out and play with hot snakes without first practicing (with snakes in general)." Come on guys, we're supposed to be giving good advice here, and before he can handle a hot, ne needs to learn how to handle a snake, and I'm not talking about big cuddly pythons, either. I still thinks Ham's idea is a good one, and that Mike should start there.

[AZHerper]

A Beginner Hot is always a touchy subject as mentioned before,please spend time around someone else who has one first.and learn from them and watching them handle theirs.I taught my wife we go herping every chance we get usually 2-3 nights a week and weekends.I taught her in the backyard with a set of 40" Midwest hooks on a adult Sidewinder.I think a Sidewinder is a excellent one to learn with,i have had many of them none have been overly aggressive and being that they are a smaller body snake their striking distance is less,with Rattlers i always give my self upto 1/2 of their quick estimated length,a;though some do 1/4 of length better safe than sorry.A Red Coachwhip(non venemous)but a very nasty snake isnt a good choice to learn with,they are nearly impossible to hook,they are extremly slender bodied,and very quick,when i find them i grab them,and look out!!!!! but im willing to take a non venemous bite for something i want.If you get hooks get the Midwest Gentle Giants they work alot better and distribute the pressure more,ive seen many people use the standard tongs and injure the snake.This may sound funny but back when i first got tongs i practiced picking up eggs with them to be gentle,and my hook i practiced with a 4 foot Gopher Snake.My first hot was a Pacific Northwest Rattlesnake,until i moved to AZ my first here was a Mojave(not a good beginner snake)and for a beginning hot stay away from Cobras,mambas,Death Adders.try to get something maybe native to where you live in the horrible case that you might get tagged hopefully the local hostpital will be a little more familiar with treating a Rattler bite.but back to good beginner,my friends that insist on their first hot i say go with a Sidewinder,i dont give them one because id feel responsible if they got it from me but ill take them out herping after they buy their own hook(that way i know they get one!!!)but a Hognose is a good choice to,it will teach you to be careful.or i have a couple Macklots Pythons that are just about hook snakes.they are the nastiest litle things i have almost.well besides Coachwhip

[Mike177]

ya i think i am going to go with the rat snake idea. i am probly going to get a nice agressive rat snake or other agressive non-venomus snake a work on my hook skills for a wile untill i get the real deal. but thanks for the help