first hot

[psilocybe]

Perhaps you should take Scott's advice to heart Mr. Higgins...whoever the irresponsible adult is who allows you to handle hannah's and kaouthia's (seen many of your pictures on SHHS etc.) is looking to get his *** in big trouble if you are to take a bite.

[cottonmouth89]

Originally Posted by psilocybe

Perhaps you should take Scott's advice to heart Mr. Higgins...whoever the irresponsible adult is who allows you to handle hannah's and kaouthia's (seen many of your pictures on SHHS etc.) is looking to get his *** in big trouble if you are to take a bite.

Well if you look around more on SHHS you will see some big discusion about that and I will not go into it again. I did it so what. I was carefull with those snakes. A lot more than everyone else that was in the group. Everyone else insisted on free handling. Besides that will be their problem not mine. They were the ones that got the damn thing out anyways. Besides I know several teenagers around the age of 17 who keep all sorts of cobras. I just worked with several and was extremely carefull with them. I just keep native venomous. I know my limit. If they got out a mamba I would of not dared try to work with it. I just stuck with snakes that were in my range that I knew I could handle.

[psilocybe]

Originally Posted by cottonmouth89

Well if you look around more on SHHS you will see some big discusion about that and I will not go into it again. I did it so what. I was carefull with those snakes. A lot more than everyone else that was in the group. Everyone else insisted on free handling. Besides that will be their problem not mine. They were the ones that got the damn thing out anyways. Besides I know several teenagers around the age of 17 who keep all sorts of cobras. I just worked with several and was extremely carefull with them. I just keep native venomous. I know my limit. If they got out a mamba I would of not dared try to work with it. I just stuck with snakes that were in my range that I knew I could handle.

My point was simple: as a minor, you should be concerned about the ramifications of your actions, not just on yourself, but on the adults around you. If you are bitten while engaging in the activity you posted pictures of, I would bet the farm that DCPS would be knocking on the door of whoever allowed you to do that, and perhaps your parents as well (since I'm under the assumption they allow and approve of your activities). There is nothing wrong with an interest in venomous. There is nothing wrong with finding them in the field. However, due to the way laws are today, you should think about who else might be affected by your actions and not just yourself. Waiting until you are a legal adult to pursue your hobby is not only the responsible thing to do, it is the SMART thing to do.

I'm not trying to preach here. Just offering some friendly advice.

EDIT: I guess I should add that the adult pictured with you while you are handling those snakes is either stupid or just plain doesn't care about the potential ramifications of allowing a minor to engage in risky behavior in his presence.

[cottonmouth89]

Just to let you know. I have kept highly aggressive non-venomous snakes for years. Including Racers, Coachwhips, Cribos, several tree boas and pythons, retics and several other species. And besides I would never keep a cobra since I do not have anti-venin. I only keep copperheads and cottonmouths. I know my limits and I know personally that I wouldn't dare yet to keep a big fast cobra. I was just there and they got the snakes out. Besides I am almost positive the king was a venomoid anyways. Hey the adults their were the ones who got it out not me. I didn't ask them to get the snakes out they just did. I did not do anything of this to be cool. I have very big respect for these snakes and I do not get any of my venomous snakes out unless cleaning their cage which I do once a week. Most of the time I dont even get them out I use a shield or use tongs to pick up the waste or water bowls. I understand the risk and do not take it lightly. I have all my venomous snakes in sequre enclosers.

[psilocybe]

Originally Posted by cottonmouth89

Just to let you know. I have kept highly aggressive non-venomous snakes for years. Including Racers, Coachwhips, Cribos, several tree boas and pythons, retics and several other species. And besides I would never keep a cobra since I do not have anti-venin. I only keep copperheads and cottonmouths. I know my limits and I know personally that I wouldn't dare yet to keep a big fast cobra. I was just there and they got the snakes out. Besides I am almost positive the king was a venomoid anyways. Hey the adults their were the ones who got it out not me. I didn't ask them to get the snakes out they just did. I did not do anything of this to be cool. I have very big respect for these snakes and I do not get any of my venomous snakes out unless cleaning their cage which I do once a week. Most of the time I dont even get them out I use a shield or use tongs to pick up the waste or water bowls. I understand the risk and do not take it lightly. I have all my venomous snakes in sequre enclosers.

You're almost positive the king was a venomoid? That statement alone is enough to scare me out of this conversation, at least for the moment.

[gonesnakee]

Sounds to me like there are lots of you "future statistics" out there. No minor should ever own a hot. Someone is legally liable for their actions & they should not own any until they can be legally liable themselves. Futhermore a HOT is a MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY & not something to be taken lightly. More often than not Hots are aquired for the Social Status of keeping one, not the love of the species. Personally I think someone should have at least a decade of snake keeping experience before even considering a Hot. I'm not talking owning a couple of Cornsnakes either, but large fast aggressive Colubrids & Pythons & lots of them first. This talk of 17 YO Cobra owners freehandling is pretty disturbing & shows their lack of proper respect for Hots. They are no where near experienced enough & propbably not mature enough (sounds like it to me), to properly respect the specimens for what they are & their deadly potential. Only a matter of time until they get tagged & drag down the experienced mature Hot keepers with their exploits. Might as well start playing Russian Roulette as thats the same style game there Kids. Mark
P.S. of course I don't consider any Ratsnakes to be Hots & its good to see someone who is considering what could be considered a rear fanged to inquire about it & its potential first. Shows that you are mature enough to take these things into consideration instead of just buying it to try & be cool like most young Hot keepers do.