An aspiring keeper with many curiosities

[Dracorex5]

The thing we have to consider guys, is that life is a thousand risks stuck together with a few safe things. It is completely reasonable and BETTER to consider these risks when making life choices. But you have to think.... who is working with those snakes in those zoos? It's a human being who has gone under extensive training to do that job, and hopefully knows in full what they are doing. I wouldnt trust a zoo keeper who keeps ferrets to move a rattlesnake around, not in the least. I understand that keeping a reptile in your home is different then caring for it at work, but both require the same learning, facts, training, and precautions. Lock that cage, watch those fangs, and make sure everything is set up if you get hurt that you won't leave someone else in peril

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Skumbo

I completely agree with you Moreli. But I will raise an every day happening as a sort of comparison. Many people go out and drive when tired, go 10-20 over the speed limit, drive huge trucks/suv's etc for various reasons from "I want to go to work and make money even though Im exhausted" to "I wanna go grab a coffee". We all make decisions for our own small benefit that put others at a technically needless risk.

That said, I completely agree with your stance, I was merely using a risky behavior as an example.

As for Aaron - Youve preached a "you must earn my respect" mantra since I started reading this forum, yet Ive never seen a reason to want to earn your respect. Everyone else in this thread? yes. You? Im going to look for an ignore feature in my settings. Ive never seen you contribute a valid point without a negative angle slapped on for seemingly no reason.

You obviously don't read enough of my stuff.

On a better note, I'm happy that I'm living rent free in your head.

[scfords]

Sorry if my answer overlaps I didn't sit and read all of them but had some inputs on your question. First, as far as Im aware GA's main law is that you can only have hots native to the state. I live in SC so Im not 100% on that just something Ive heard a few times. I would also do like mostly everyone else said and seek out a mentor if you can even though its not always an option. but at 17 you have some time to dig. As far as a good first hot, thats up to you. Every snake has its ups and downs. Copperheads usually have a decent temperment once they get older and arent considered deadly (eventhough ive seen several news reports of death by copperhead) However, as babys in my experience has been that they are very nervous making them hard to feed f/t, and hard to ride on a hook without trying to run on you. No hot can be trusted. assuming you might take all the proper steps, and be as prepared as you can be when you make the leap, I also recommend starting with a baby. One old enough that eats well on its own but small enough you can grow with it as it matures. you really dont want to be inexperianced and trying to force feed a baby, and the bigger the snake the bigger the venom glands and larger the strike distance. But a good way to find a mentor is getting to know people. At the shows, venomous websites, or anywhere else. make someone your friend, they will help you out. But just asking for a mentor might be a little harder for the fact a ton of people want one and some of those people shouldn't be allowed to have dogs muchless an animal that can kill anyone that it comes in contact with. Watch some youtube videos, ive seen several where people freehand hots (which is ******** if ive ever seen it). it only takes one mistake and you could be killed or someone else can be killed. If your not killed you might wish you were dead, loose an entire limb, or have to live with the guilt that you caused one of those to someone else. Just be smart. When you think your minds made up, do more research anyways.