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 #1719612


A D
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 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Just kidding, but seriously I’ve decided to get a hot, i would like to start off with a good beginner. What i really want is either a pope viper, eyelash, or Atheris. However, those are probably not for beginners. So, if you have any suggestions for snakes please list them. I have had limited experience w/diamonds.
04/28/08  09:23pm

 #1719690


Eekster
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1719612


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Mangroves are cool just got my first one and he is awesome!



04/28/08  10:29pm

 #1720756


A D
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   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1719690


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Cool, i saw the pics. I have been considering one, but i would prefer a smaller snake. How are the pope vipers for beginners
04/29/08  10:52pm

 #1720796


Jparker1167
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1720756


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

A D how old are you what reptiles have you kept and how long have you kept them, most people say arboreal snakes are not the best first ones.
04/29/08  11:55pm

 #1721219


Dawn & Terry
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   Message To: Jparker1167   In reference to Message Id: 1720796


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Started with a rattlesnake here. They offer a warning. Our southern pacific is basically ready to hit at all times. Has kept me on my toes since day one. I have wondered if starting with one that is less dangerous might bring complacency. What do the rest of you folks think?
04/30/08  03:09pm

 #1721236


RePtiLOVER
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   Message To: Dawn & Terry   In reference to Message Id: 1721219


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

GEt a native hot AD, arboreal exotics have very demanding care, not something for a beginner.
04/30/08  03:26pm

 #1721358


Christianator
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   Message To: RePtiLOVER   In reference to Message Id: 1721236


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

A D i really dont know much about hot snakes but i would start with a rear fand just to give you the same feel as a front fanged snake hognose snake, asian tree snake, mangrove snake, and cat eyed snakes are all venemous and b-e-a-u-t-iful!(:



04/30/08  05:50pm

 #1721498


FishMich
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1719612


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

starting with a legit hot is fine if the heart and mind are in the right place and if proper equipment is obtained. also a lot of research and at least some hands on experience with the species you are interested in is needed. arboreals probably arent the best place to start for many reasons including care difficulty aside from the venomous aspects. you are going to want to start with a smaller native(copperhead, sistrurus, smaller crotalus species). not only will antivenin be more readily available but bite treatment experience will be a bit more common for native species. i always reccomend the book Venomous Snakes in Captivity by B.W. Smith. its filled with great info, tips, and do’s or donts’s.



04/30/08  08:05pm

 #1721730


A D
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   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1719690


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Mangroves do sound pretty cool. I’ve done some research about them and i think that might just be the way to go. plus when i get tagged by it, i wont have to break the bank on med bills.
04/30/08  11:08pm

 #1721754


A D
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1721730


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

And JP, thanks for the concern, i am pretty young (21) but i moved out when i was 16 and my little bro moved in w/me a year later when he was 15, he has been more like a son than a brother. He just went into the marines 4 months ago (I’m really proud of him). The reason i mention this is to give the nay sayers a sense of responsibility, and I am fully aware that aborials are not for beginners, I can’t even recall all the reptiles I’ve dealt w or owned.



04/30/08  11:26pm

 #1722104


Jparker1167
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1721754


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

thats cool A D, i hope your borther does well in the marines i have a friend was a scout sniper for the marines but hes out now.

arboreal snake are not the best beginners for the reasons others have said and also from what i have heard alot ot beginners underestimate their strike range they have a very large strike range that ya dont want to be in unless ya know what your doing. i havent kept any arboreal hots yet but do keep plenty of others like copperheads, rattlers, rhinos, gaboons, levantine vipers, cobras just make sure you take the right steps to keeping the ones you want dont rush into getting anything
05/01/08  11:53am

 #1726372


A D
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   Message To: Jparker1167   In reference to Message Id: 1722104


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Sorry i didn’t reply for a while my computer modem cable broke. Arrrg! Anyhow, yes i would like to go with a mangrove. Know any good breeders in the mid west?
05/05/08  09:04pm

 #1726381


A D
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1726372


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Or, are there any good sm rattlers for beginners?
05/05/08  09:06pm

 #1726763


TJP
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   Message To: A D   In reference to Message Id: 1726381


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

If you’re looking for small rattlers, you may want to look in western or mexican massasauga’s. Any that I’ve been around have been fairly easy to handle, and not very aggressive. That being said, their venom can do a number on your blood, and some don’t respond well to CroFab (which is junk anyway).
But, you really need to slip up or get complacent to put yourself in that situation with a sauga, so if you’re careful, it won’t be an issue. I love sauga’s, but in my state, they are protected, so no keeping them for me any time soon.
Rock rattlesnakes are fairly small, and easy to handle, as well. But, their venom is quite potent for a small snake, and serious bites are very possible. Again, don’t get careless, and you won’t have a problem.
It’s all on how you look at things, some of the calmest rattlesnakes I’ve been around have been the most toxic...ie...durissus. Very toxic, but not much of a danger aspect. Venomous and dangerous are two completely aspects in my book. But, neo’s get large, and some individuals are nasty. And a bite would prove to be life-threatening, even from a juvie. There’s alot to think about when making the decision, and only you can make the right one. If you have any doubts or second thoughts about which snakes to keep, don’t keep them. It’s one thing to respect a snake, another to fear it.
good luck with whatever you choose.
05/06/08  06:28am

 #1726913


SoLA
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   Message To: TJP   In reference to Message Id: 1726763


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

My vote would be for the banded rock. Not that the sauga is terrible, but they do have a misleading strike range for a small snake. I’m guessing that how Terry Phillips got bit. They also tend to be slightly more difficult on the hook.

Durissus are cool, but I will also note that our xanthic culminatus is the craziest snake we have, and by far the most difficult to work with out of the cage (or even in a bag for that matter).

I know it isn’t exactly apples to apples, but I figured it is worth bringing up.



05/06/08  11:03am

 #1740390


Rai my corn snake
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   Message To: RePtiLOVER   In reference to Message Id: 1721236


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

RePtiLover- Isis81 is looking 4 u.
05/19/08  06:27pm

 #1742837


A D
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   Message To: Rai my corn snake   In reference to Message Id: 1740390


 Young, dumb, and bullet proof!

Thanks for all the sage advise, I’m going to wait till the end of summer, and take the time in between now and then to further research the beginner species. Whatever i get I’m not too worried b/c i live 40 min away from the mayo clinic hahaha, Yikes.
05/21/08  10:39pm


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