hot snakes

[Rogue628]

But what about respect for those that are not willing to give that information to someone who doesn't know what they getting into? Some posts may have been blunt or even a bit rude, but they only have the best interest of the animals at heart, as well as the potential keeper. This hobby has a bad enough rep due to alot of misinformation as well as bad keepers. They're only trying to make sure of the safety of the animals, the keeper, and the hobby.

This hobby is all about respect. Respect for your animals, respect for other keepers, respect for yourself in what you keep.

[jaleely]

this is a total troll

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by jaleely

this is a total troll

Possibly.

According to some digging, one has to have a permit to own exotic hots in Texas (which I would assume EDBs are, since they are not native to TX).

[Will0W783]

Well, americanrebel, I am glad that you do have experience and that you claim you have your permit. You do have to understand that the "Fight Club" analogy really does hold true. I kept non-hots for 7 years, worked up through aggressive ratsnakes, rear-fanged colubrids and a mentor before obtaining my first hot, and I really get defensive and concerned when I see posts that suggest someone might be biting off more than they can chew with hots. My major concern is for the snakes and for people who might be affected on the sidelines. I really could care less if any idiots get themselves tagged and killed, except that it will influence my rights to keep the animals I love, and it will cause harm and probably euthanization to befall the bitten person's snakes. In my mind, people can take whatever risks they want with their own lives, but it is when their decisions influence the lives of other people or animals that I get very touchy.

As for your comment on us not having the right to tell you rattler roundups are inhumane, and that the government would not allow them if they were inhumane....I really have to beg to differ. SHAME ON YOU!
Have you ever seen the pictures of what they do to those poor animals?? The snakes are stabbed with sticks, thrown in heaps into hot, dry, dusty bins....they are slaughtered for their skins, butchered without any regard for pain....all for the amusement of some sick twisted people. Roundups have been outlawed in many states, but the federal government won't step in until the rattlers are endangered...they generally don't care what happens to a species until it becomes threatened...then they will step in and put laws to protect it.

Here are some discussions and pictures about your "humane" roundups: Look at them and then come here and tell me roundups are perfectly fine.
Field Herp Forum • View topic - World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-up
http://images.nationalgeographic.com...06_600x450.jpg
Rattlesnake Roundups

I absolutely cannot believe that someone who calls themselves an animal lover and a venomous snake keeper would condone such an event. It takes A LOT to get me truly angry, but you sir, have royally pi$$ed me off and disgusted me with your support of a truly barbaric event.....in my opinion you cannot possibly call yourself an animal lover and claim to respect life when you are ok with those above links. Good Lord.

[RandyRhoads]

Still on the fence about this. I love hunting, but gathering mass quantities of anything seems a bit too far. Although it is still someones personal choice wheather they want to attend and support that.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Still on the fence about this. I love hunting, but gathering mass quantities of anything seems a bit too far. Although it is still someones personal choice wheather they want to attend and support that.

My main issues with rattlesnake roundups are two-fold:

1.) The ecological impact - For decades, these snakes have been collected with little or no regulation, bag limits, etc. The impact on wild populations is noticeable. Even round-upers have admitted that the "big ones" are getting scarce, and that Oklahoma collectors have resorted to acquired snakes from Texas to fulfill their quota for the events. I don't know about anyone else, but that tells me something: the round-upers cannot have their cake and eat it, too. They claim that the whole reason for these events is because rattlesnakes are soooo over-populated and they're a threat to livestock, pets, kids, etc....but in the same sentence, they complain how hard they are to find for the round-ups! Sounds like they've done their job too well! Bottom line: the supply is running out. The western diamondback rattlesnake is on the decline at least partially because of these events, and if something doesn't change, they will be gone completely.

2.) Animal Cruelty - Personally, I don't think there should be a double-standard for animal cruelty. Most of us are aware of the unique anatomy and physiology of reptiles, and how so-called humane euthanasia practices for warm-blooded animals (i.e. decapitation) are NOT humane for reptiles. At a round-up, the executioner is using a old, dull machete for his work, and it sometimes takes 4-5 whacks to completely severe the head of the snake. It is proven that the snake is still aware and attentive after this action, and not just some involuntary reflex. The pain experienced is imaginable with a sharp blade and a single, clean cut. It is incomprehensible when it takes multiple whacks to complete a decapitation.

Then there's the mouth-sewing. I don't care where in the world you come from, but cruel is cruel. There is no legitimate reason to do this. It deprives the animal from drinking water, and the process implemented to do this is equally inhumane. They stick the snake in a freezer for some period of time to mellow it out, then sew its mouth shut, for the sole purpose to ensure safety so event attendees can handle the snake for photo ops. [NOTE: this is only documented to take place at Oklahoma roundups. It is technically considered a felony, according to their animal cruelty laws already in the books. But it is not enforced at the roundups, undoubtedly because well, money talks. The revenue generated from these events, combined with most peoples' contempt for snakes, makes most officers of the law turn a blind eye and generally, not even care.]

Of course, all the snakes are put into huge pits with no shelter or water in the dry heat for most of th day, awaiting any one of the atrocities mentioned above, or possibly being skinned alive.
----

I'm all for hunting, too...when its regulated. This is hardly what I call hunting. It is eradication and slaughter...all for money. The ONLY reason they have gotten away with it for so long is because its snakes. If we tried doing the exact same thing with any other animal (deer, wild boar, bears, alligators, etc.), the public outcry would be resonant.

[Will0W783]

Originally posted by Studenttoreptile:I'm all for hunting, too...when its regulated. This is hardly what I call hunting. It is eradication and slaughter...all for money. The ONLY reason they have gotten away with it for so long is because its snakes. If we tried doing the exact same thing with any other animal (deer, wild boar, bears, alligators, etc.), the public outcry would be resonant.

I absolutely agree...couldn't have said it better.

[exwizard]

I'm pretty libertarian about a lot of things but what I think is funny is that the federal government does not see fit to put a stop to this or even regulate this even though it is seeking more ways to restrict keeping snakes as pets. Tell me where that makes any sense.

[exwizard]

I defy anyone to make sense of that.

[jaleely]

You mean they want to restrict people's connections with snakes, however instead of limiting events like round-ups, they go for private owners. I got it! I defy!!!

I hunt, fish, I've skinned animals...i am by far a long way from liberal...and am in full force against a lot of government. I still think hauling a hoard of any animal into piles like that, teasing, then killing them, is pretty darn cruel.
It's been 1 on 1 when I've hunted or fished. I also try to minimize any suffering. This looks like just pure stress, trauma, pain, horribleness to the snakes.
I really don't get how anyone can say they "get" hots becuase they know about round ups...and i really don't see how you can participate at ALL in one, and then keep snakes as a pet.
To put it frankly, that's just ****ing stupid and you are a total arrogant ******* if you think it's okay. I didn't mention any names, but that is the scenario here. I'm in a blunt mood today. But there it is.

lol...i AM right, and you ARE wrong.

[RandyRhoads]

Originally Posted by jaleely

You mean they want to restrict people's connections with snakes, however instead of limiting events like round-ups, they go for private owners. I got it! I defy!!!

I hunt, fish, I've skinned animals...i am by far a long way from liberal...and am in full force against a lot of government. I still think hauling a hoard of any animal into piles like that, teasing, then killing them, is pretty darn cruel.
It's been 1 on 1 when I've hunted or fished. I also try to minimize any suffering. This looks like just pure stress, trauma, pain, horribleness to the snakes.
I really don't get how anyone can say they "get" hots becuase they know about round ups...and i really don't see how you can participate at ALL in one, and then keep snakes as a pet.
To put it frankly, that's just ****ing stupid and you are a total arrogant ******* if you think it's okay. I didn't mention any names, but that is the scenario here. I'm in a blunt mood today. But there it is.

lol...i AM right, and you ARE wrong.

That's what i'm talking about. You tell em. I like blunt Jaleely.

[jaleely]

lol thanks. i try. no, i give up, so now i don't try, and AM blunt *lol*

[Gungirl]

Jaleely I like the blunt you.. lol

[jaleely]

yeah i've been a smart aleck lately. I am still laughing about one post i did that doesn't seem like i was being rude at all. I know my intent though *lol*

[americanrebel79]

Oh no i never said i support the round up, I have never been to one and never will go to one i was speaking about my friend and that was his choice, but i could never go there to many people i dont like big crowds of people makes my blood presser go to hi.