An aspiring keeper with many curiosities

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Slcburm

Ha Ha I see your points as well and I get it. It just seems when I come across these inquiries these people with "many years experience" usually only have 2-3 and they are mainly Red Tails, Balls etc. Not very aggressive. Hope she doesnt do anything stupid thats all

She won't do anything stupid if she takes my advice and grows a little more. Becomes more mature and then really leaps into it. I find the biggest problem is even though the original poster really wants this as her dream the fact is she's still only 17. Her life can change dramatically within the next 5 years. Maybe college or university. Maybe a boyfriend/husband. Maybe a drastic move across the country. Not easy with a venomous snake.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

She won't do anything stupid if she takes my advice and grows a little more. Becomes more mature and then really leaps into it. I find the biggest problem is even though the original poster really wants this as her dream the fact is she's still only 17. Her life can change dramatically within the next 5 years. Maybe college or university. Maybe a boyfriend/husband. Maybe a drastic move across the country. Not easy with a venomous snake.

Very true.

I also wanted to get into hots a few years, after I had all that: college, a new wife, etc. But I decided I simply was not set-up properly to do it the way I would like to do it, and we were planning to have children also. Health insurance is another factor to consider.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Very true.

I also wanted to get into hots a few years, after I had all that: college, a new wife, etc. But I decided I simply was not set-up properly to do it the way I would like to do it, and we were planning to have children also. Health insurance is another factor to consider.

I totally forgot about insurance. Also home owners insurance. I especially think if you're going to keep venomous snakes that FULL disclosure is a must. We get a bad rep as reptile keepers already and we don't need bad publicity when someone's bit by their rattler in their closet....

[RandyRhoads]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I totally forgot about insurance. Also home owners insurance. I especially think if you're going to keep venomous snakes that FULL disclosure is a must. We get a bad rep as reptile keepers already and we don't need bad publicity when someone's bit by their rattler in their closet....

Aaron can you please give some info related to how hots effect home owners insurance? I've been wondering for a while now how it would effect mine and the best way to go about it. Would they even continue coverage if they knew? Would it matter to them? Is it none of there business?

I also love the idea of 2 signs at different levels. That is excellent, and something for every hot keeper to consider. I would hate to be crawling in to a smoke filled house with terrible visibility to come face to face with a cobra and possibly get bit.

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Let me ask you a question: do you think someone can learn how to operate and shoot a gun over the internet? or drive a car?

Yes. But only with practice can you become experienced and proficient at it.
A new driver is one of the scariest things out there to me. You take a kid that has barely any life experience, most with very little responsibility, and put them in control of a couple thousand pound weapon and let them free to terrorize the world.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

A new driver is one of the scariest things out there to me. You take a kid that has barely any life experience, most with very little responsibility, and put them in control of a couple thousand pound weapon and let them free to terrorize the world.

But can you imagine how more dangerous they would be without a driver's test with a real person in the passenger seat guiding them and giving direction?

Same with guns. Most people have the "general idea" of what a gun is and how it works, and how you operate it. But you generally seek out someone who owns guns, someone who is proficient in maintaining them, shooting them, proper stance, etc.