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Pre venomous
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by ap42182 on September 17, 2006
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I have never cared for a snake but it would be great to get one. So I am wondering what snakes would you all recommend owning before moving onto a venomous species? And what should I look for in a mentor when learning to handle and care for venomous snakes? Thanks all and take care
Sincerely,
Dave
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RE: Pre venomous
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by RepFan on September 17, 2006
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Dave,
For your first snake I would consider a captive born ball python or corn snake. They both tend to be very hardy snakes that are fairly easy to care for and stay fairly small 3'-4' range. Since you have no previous experience of snake husbandry I would suggest reading anything you can get your hands on pertaining to snake care. Also visit forums on the species mentioned here.Join local herp societies Get an experienced keeper in your area to give you some tips and advice on handling and caring for nonvenomous. After you have dealt with many of the small dilemmas that arise with keeping herps such as shed problems, force feeding, probing/sexing, infestations (mites),etc. and had no escapes then move up to the larger colubrids. Try one of the king, rat, pine, or bull snakes. These snakes tend to be larger. Their lengths range from 4'-7+'. Move on to more of the aggressive nonvenomous species then. This includes coachwhips and watersnakes as they tend to be nippers. The coachwhips are also very fast. They are recorded as being the fastest North American species of snakes going in upwards of 7 m.p.h. Then possibly try one of the larger boids such as a burmese, rock, blood, reticulated or better yet a common boa constrictor. These snakes can get extremely large. The retics, bloods, and common boa or snakes that will teach you that not all snakes act the same on the inside of their enclosure as they act on the outside of their enclosure. Some can be nasty boogers until out of their cage and some even require the use of hooks to get them out. Plus the retic maybe as tame as a corn snake but after feeding time may strike out at anything that moves by their enclosure for up to four days after feeding. That is called a strong feeding response. After dealing with all or at least most of the species listed for five to seven years then try to find a local hot keeper for a mentor. When selecting a mentor select one that only keeps what is legal to keep, has proper/secure enclosures, uses snake tools( hooks, tongs,restraining tubes, trapboxes, etc.) and doesn't free handle, is experienced, and who you feel comfortable with,. Then you will be equipped with much of the knowledge needed before entering into the venomous hobby. Or you may find you are happy and content with your current collection.
Good Luck ,
Todd Poole
S.H.H.S. Webteam Member
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RE: Pre venomous
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 18, 2006
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THere's really no such thing as a "pre venomous" non venomous herp to keep to prepare you for the real thing. Although some species like Nerodia and Coluber constrictor typically keep a feisty attitude in captivity, they are NOT venomous and you will kno that they are not venomous. The emotions of working with your first hot are far different and you think in a different manner because you know that the mistakes you made with non venomous can end up killing you with venomous. The best way to prepare you to keep venomous is to get mentored by someone who is a responsible keeper of venomous reptiles. Learn the proper ways of using snake hooks, tongs, shields, bags, trap boxes, etc. Until you actually work with a real venomous snake, nothing in the non venomous realm will truly get you ready (particularly from a psychological standpoint). Instead, I truly believe that the years of experience you gain in working with a variety of harmless snakes in a safe manner, and, applying the same techniques used for venomous, will go a long way. Key factors to determine if someone is ready include: maturity (no minors should ever be allowed to keep venomous), knowledge/experience, resources (do you have the means to acquire antivenin, etc.), physical ability, and living a clean lifestyle.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL
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