Ive been reading alot of the posts in this section, and i find them fascinating, the snakes you guys are talking about have kept me awake for ages just reading up about them and has definately opened my eyes.

but as i put on the title, why?

do you handle these snakes, do you chuck on a pair of leather gauntlets when handling and i realise i will be coming across as naive, what makes you want to keep venomous snakes? do many of your snakes require the anti-venom to be kept in your house?

i ask purely out of curiosity and im sure the answers will fascinate me as much as the threads already have

cheers guys

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0.1.0 normal corn snake (loki)
1.0.0 green sandfire bearded dragon (oleg)
0.1.0 staffordshire bull terrier (amy)
1.0.0 royal python (dmitri)
0.1.0 leopard gecko (sita)

"dances all day at the roller disco!!!"

Iv always wondered this too As i cant see how you can cuddle a DWA like u can a corn =P

I just use bare hands when handling my snake, i used to be afraid of snakes (even non venomous):P But i started handling them and have just got used to it :P
Not sure i would like to have a venomouse snake in my house tho... =D

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0.1.0 Snow Corn
0.2.0 Anery Corns
0.2.0 Lurcher
1.0.0 Jack Russel

I don't cuddle my non-venomous!!!

I don't wish to seem like a dickhead but if you need to ask why then you've missed the point.

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1.1 IJJ's (for sale)
4.4 GTP's
1.1 Bredl's
1.0 Sonoran Sidewinder
1.1 Eyelash Pit Vipers
1.1 Nose Horned Viper
1.1 Mangrove Snakes
1.2 Hungarian Visla
0.1 Wife

you have to be dedicated to want to keep an animal that has the potential to kill you, its not for everyone and takes a high level of concentration and skill on the handlers part to do it safely.

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Was Being Sarcastic with the cuddling part.. *rolls eyes*

If you have a passion, you would want to study and learn about/keep the reptile... even if it could kill you..

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My field is with apex predators, hence your crocodiles, your snakes, your spiders. -Steve Irwin

i wouldnt say ive missed the point just that i dont quite get the point.

what kind of precautions do you have to take in handling and feeding, is force feeding an option with these breeds?

ive been tagged a few times by my royal and i cant say it hurt and sometimes it was too fast to register as a bite, until i saw the marks, obviously my experience is significantly less to people who keep venomous snakes, but ill bet copperheads and pit vipers at any age are alot quicker thank a sub adult royal and if i dont realise ive been bitten by a comparatively cumbersome snake like a royal, then the idea of a venomous snake doing the same, frankly makes my hoop pucker.

im with you on the learning and studying aspect, so then tell me what you guys are learining from these snakes? thats part of the reason ive asked why, obviously i can search the internet for information on venomous snakes but i felt it would be better to ask people on this forum what they get from keeping venomous snakes and deal with the various issues that arise when doing so.

cheers

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0.1.0 normal corn snake (loki)
1.0.0 green sandfire bearded dragon (oleg)
0.1.0 staffordshire bull terrier (amy)
1.0.0 royal python (dmitri)
0.1.0 leopard gecko (sita)

"dances all day at the roller disco!!!"

in my limited experience I have worked with and kept a few species, and yes they are all pretty fast, some very, but you use hooks and tongs and if your careful you should never be within strike range and if you are, then there should be no way they can strike at you, ie pinned in restraining tubes ect...

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i do understamd why u dont get it, but its not something easy too explain, its a passiion u discover, a passion that in many wayas to many people makes no sense. But its also one that can lead to a greater understanding of body language and behaviour, i started cos i wanted to have experierence in all areas of reptiles. This led to a deep interest, and led me to learn more and want to learn more, on how venom works but also how venomous snakes fit into the eco system of their enviroment.