First hot???

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 04:51 PM

I've been keeping reptiles of all sorts for over 10 years but ahve never had anything venomous. I'm interested in trying my hand at getting one but am unsure as to what would be a good species to start with. I do have a close friend with several venomous species who is willing to mentor and teach me what I will need to know. I'm just looking for some thoughts on what the community here think would be a good starting point?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-20-14, 05:11 PM

depends on whats available to you. copperhead. speckled rattlesnake was my first and i still keep many locals today. if your mentor is willing to give you your first hot than i would see which ones he would let you take and take the one you work best with.

Tyguy35 · 11-20-14, 05:19 PM

I've been trying to figure out how to just get them in Canada. Ways of learning or licenses what not. Could you pm if you know?

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 05:24 PM

I was considering a copperhead but the musking is a turn off from them for me. I love my snakes because they dont smell lol. (hence why ill never have a cat or rodent as a pet). was just hoping to get some ideas of what ppl here started off with and whats reasonably simple to maintain as a first until comfort level is established.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-20-14, 05:30 PM

reptiledude987, they all have different attitudes like any species. iv had tons of them and only had one that consistently musked. what kind of hots are available to you?

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 05:39 PM

Pretty much anything I want availabe just dont want to make a bad choice.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-20-14, 05:54 PM

if you can get a vipera ammodytes i would get one in a hart beet! mine is one of my favorites and extremely easy to keep. not super hot and usually have a very calm attitude... for me there are no down side to them and there crazy looking. heirs mine

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 06:12 PM

so i just a look at wikipedia and it says "Vipera ammodytes is a venomous viper species found in southern Europe through to the Balkans and parts of the Middle East. It is reputed to be the most dangerous of the European vipers due to its large size, long fangs (up to 13 mm) and high venom toxicity". Would you agree that this info is accurate. Idealy I'd like to start with something not generally refered to as the most dangerous in its region.

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 06:13 PM

To clarify I do realize theres no such thing as a "safe" venomous snake but looking for something not considered to be on the high end of danger scale.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-20-14, 06:26 PM

yes it is the most toxic of the European vipers. that being said they are very commonly free handled. Of courses theres not a good snake to get bit by lol. the way i look at is some one who has a mildly venomous snake and a snake with more toxic venom is your gonna be extra extra careful with the more toxic one and more relaxed with the mildly toxic one which means your more likely to put your self in a position to get tagged which still may end up ending your life. so what im saying is a snake with less toxic venom may mean you have a false sense of security.. if your going off of venom toxicity or LD50s than you mite as well find the snake with the lowest LD50 and choose it.

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 06:33 PM

Ok that make sence. I get what youre saying and its a good point. My friend said that the most dangerous venomous snake in the world is the ont that just bit you. So if I understand correctly the reason you would recommend that species is because it has a lower likelyhood of biting not because of the result of being bit.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-20-14, 06:50 PM

yes exactly, and knowing it has reasonably strong venom means your gonna be that much more careful. i know some one who daringly handled a side winder. not a super toxic snake but the chance of a bad reaction is still there. you don't really see any one doing that with a western diamond back do you? so whats he more likely to get bit by the sidewinder rattlesnake he free handles? or the western diamond back rattlesnake he uses tongs with and stays way back from? make sense?

reptiledude987 · 11-20-14, 06:52 PM

Ya for sure!

knox · 11-20-14, 06:57 PM

If I were to get into hots, a Copperhead would be my starting point. Not overly aggressive, and a bite is generally not lethal. It's not going to be any fun, and you will have major swelling and tissue damage, but unless there are other complications, not lethal.

Derek1 · 11-20-14, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptiledude987

I was considering a copperhead but the musking is a turn off from them for me. I love my snakes because they dont smell lol. (hence why ill never have a cat or rodent as a pet). was just hoping to get some ideas of what ppl here started off with and whats reasonably simple to maintain as a first until comfort level is established.

Where have you read about the musking? I haven't seen much on that and typically musking from most snakes happens when you handle them right?>