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StronglyKeeled   Deadvenom-x   Snake Eyes 2006   StronglyKeeled  
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 #1873135


StronglyKeeled
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 First Time "Hot Snake" Owner

Hey all, I just registered with this community and would like to say hi. I have been handling snakes my whole life, but just recently decided to get a hot snake. I did like I heard from so many sources and captured a wild, and very very mean yellow-bellied racer. I managed to go a year without getting bit and decided I was ready for a hot snake. After weeks of searching I found the PERFECT candidate, a very young Osage Copperhead. I captured him with a snake hook and was surprised at how clam the little fella was. I built a custom enclosure for the little guy (before catching it of course) and he/she seems to love it. I feed it small hoppers (live), and even once gave it a small adult (which it managed to take down quite easily to my surprise).

I don’t ever handle it with my hands (not yet anyway), but I sure love to watch it roam about it’s enclosure at right around dusk.

Here are a couple of pictures of my snake, enjoy!

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Link <--- This one is my favorite!



10/02/08  01:53pm

 #1873352


Deadvenom-x
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   Message To: StronglyKeeled   In reference to Message Id: 1873135


 First Time "Hot Snake" Owner

SO CUTE:) i want it :P
10/02/08  06:54pm

 #1873379


Snake Eyes 2006
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   Message To: Deadvenom-x   In reference to Message Id: 1873352


 First Time "Hot Snake" Owner

Looks more like a plain old Northern Copperhead to me? But I am not the expert on Copperheads here.
I am in West Virginia and find Copperheads all the time, I have found 2 the same color as yours, but the third one I have found is real light in color (almost like it has albinism in it) I thought the really gray/purplelish ones are what is said to be the Osages? Anyways good looking snake, What sex is it? And make sure to only have him/her for a while beforwe moving on to your second.

Good luck and welcome to the Venomous community.
10/02/08  07:22pm

 #1873482


StronglyKeeled
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   Message To: Snake Eyes 2006   In reference to Message Id: 1873379


 First Time "Hot Snake" Owner

Well, as far as I know, based on where I found it, it should be an Osage, but if you think you can tell based on pattern you are probably right. I’m pretty new at this and it’s my first one, I could certainly be wrong.

I do not yet know what sex it is, I am going to order some of those plastic tubes that you can use to restain a snakes head so that I can sex it. They say the males have longer tails, but I don’t have multiple copperheads to compare to.

Why do you say not to keep it too long before moving onto a second one? Do you mean to release this one and replace it, or do you mean I should add a second one to the enclosure? I’m going to assume you mean to replace it.

Thanks for the warm welcome, I hope to learn more about the art of keeping hot snakes from you all. Any advice or constructive criticism you have for me is welcome.

I also have a question for you, I have emailed my state DNR but have had no reply. Does anyone happen to know what the legality is of keeping native vens in Missouri? If I need to get a permit or register the animal I want to be sure to do that - I’m not much for breaking the law.

Thanks,
Cameron P.
10/02/08  08:49pm


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