copperhead care

[operation_sssss]

Hi, just after some advice/help on finding a website or someone in the UK who owns/has worked with copperheads ? I own a pair of false water cobras however i have not owned a hot that needs a DWA license, so i'm inexperienced when concerned with venomous snakes, if you could please let me know of any websites about copperhead care or people who own venomous snakes in the South West region of England i would be most grateful cheers Will p.s happy herping

[BWSmith]

OK, I'll make it wasy and won't get onto my soapbox.

Copperhead Basics by Mardi Snipes (http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/7)

But before you worry about care. Study safety and envenomations. A Copper bite is not pleasant.

[operation_sssss]

thanx for the site, i dont get whats wrong with some people on this site though seems they cant say anything without treating you like a dumb ***, its alright smith i was just guna miss that out and not consider consequences of a bite and whats needed to do!!!

[SCReptiles]

Everybody has to start somewhere. I think some long time keepers lose site of that. Copperheads are a good species to start with. They tend to adjust well to captivity and are not usually aggressive. They have a more forgiving venom then most pit vipers and they are beautiful snakes. However, you mustn’t take them lightly. Their venom is Hemotoxic and can cause massive cell degeneration. People have lost fingers and hands from copper bites and a few deaths have been recorded. The SHHS that Brian gave a link to is the best place to search out info on the snake itself. As for you as a keeper, I think you should start by reading Allen Hunter’s Venom 101. How long have you kept those false waters? And have you even been bitten or had a close call?

[BWSmith]

i'm inexperienced when concerned with venomous snakes

seems they cant say anything without treating you like a dumb ***

You said you were inexperienced. So telling you to be sure to learn safety and envenomation protocol seems perfectly viable. It was not rude or condescending. I did not preach, I did not say don't get one, I said nothing negative. I gave you clear answer to your question with advice that should be common sense. Unfortunately, common sense is often overestimated and there ARE alot dumb***es out there. So I err on the side of caution. I know very little about you from the one post you did before I responded. So why would I assume that you have learned safe handling and envenomation effects and protocol? Simple, I wouldn't. But did I mention that if you type "Copperhead Care" into Google that 2 excellent care sheets are on the first page of results (including the link I provided) and scold youfor not doing research? No, because I have no idea what research you have done. You may have had them bookmarked for all I know. Did I throw out a huge list of questions to see if you are prepared? No. Did I make any remarks that were offensive or start flaming you? No. I gave you a very concise answer to your question with a note of caution attached.

And what do I get in response?
its alright smith i was just guna miss that out and not consider consequences of a bite and whats needed to do!!!

I give you a very matter-of-fact reply and you treat me with disrespect. You come here for help and recieve it, then reply with a smug comment. It is not appreciated.

[SCReptiles]

thanx for the site, i dont get whats wrong with some people on this site though seems they cant say anything without treating you like a dumb ***, its alright smith i was just guna miss that out and not consider consequences of a bite and whats needed to do!!!
You should not take offense to the things Brian says. You see any community needs forces pulling it in all directions. This allows the community to stay in a nice central location. If you have forces pulling it only one way, then we would get off center and be too far liberal or too far conservative. Brian has assumed the role of the gate keeper, the most negative force. His mission is to prevent halfassers from every entering this hobby and to keep the ones already in as far to the right as possible. On the opposite of Brian, we have guys like Rob at Glade’s herp. He will sell a king cobra to anyone with the money. So, hopefully the mainstream of venomous herpiculture will stay somewhere right between these two. Always expect overly cautious posts from Brian, it’s just what he does. It’s nothing directed at you and not meant to offend you. I have been keeping around 15 years and he still blasts me. =) Consider what he says, he is a good source of information.

[Snakesafe]

After reading the advice I have to agree with what Chuck said. Seems BWSmith's comments were right on, pending the title of your thread, your information given and your question. Listen to folks on this site and you will learn an abundance of information that isn't always readily available in books or on video. I have had the pleasure of dealing of few of these fine folks and they know of what they speak. Don't take offense, just take the information provided and learn from it.

[operation_sssss]

Big apologies all round, i took your comment the wrong way Brian i replied like i did as it felt like i was being talked down to for some reason and now after viewing the message again it is clear that there was no need for my reply and the advice given was clear as well as including concern for safety, when i read your message i quickly come to the wrong conclusion that i was being treated as being a bit of a deviant for not taking into account the factors when keeping a venomous snake and the consequences of a bite, i hope some of that made sense and justified why i acted in what now i see as an immature manner, thanx for the advice hope there is no bad feelings cheers Will

[fatboy]

Venon 101 is great if you can get it.....very hard to fing though.

[BWSmith]

Venon 101 is great if you can get it.....very hard to fing though.
So is VenoM 101 :D :D :D It is a great source of information and many people have it saved as a file. I am sure that if you asked, one of us would forward it to you.

No worries Operation, the problem with an online forum is we have to go by text alone. There is no way to see the expression on someones face to know what is going on.

[SCReptiles]

There is no way to see the expression on someones face to know what is going on.
Actually I am glad you can not see the expression on my face when I am reading some of the stuff you post! Ha ha

[BWSmith]

bah. When I am around people i know are experienced I can talk hots all day long with a coke and a smile. But when you never know who is reading, I err on the side of caution.

[shaggybill]

Well, I'll be darned. A peaceful conclusion.

hehe