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06-11-2009, 10:31 PM
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It may seem like a long way of doing it but you have to wait 2 years either way, So would you rather spend two years just reading about snakes or spend 2 years getting hand on experience?
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07-11-2009, 01:09 AM
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Well if we had the internet when I was 16 venomous snake would be the last thing I would be looking at
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07-11-2009, 07:17 AM
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It bit me!  Now thats going to hurt!!
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07-11-2009, 10:05 AM
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07-11-2009, 10:28 AM
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 Mark O'Shea quotes me because I had insight.  (Even if he did get my name wrong  )That has got to become my sig quote......  And yes Mark that was the point I was making..... Venomous or not, they should all be of interest.. Quote:
I to wanted venomous (I hate the term HOT, it's too American... LOL) as a teenager. I wanted a Cobra or a Rattler, the two most easily recognisable venomous. I was also advised to learn how snakes tick, so to speak, and get some experience with a snake before jumping in. I got a Cornsnake and set it up and learned as much as I could about them. Next I got a Boa, set it up and done the same thing.... I read everything I could find... I then got an Anaconda and then a Retic then a Burm then a milk and so I went on, buying and learning, meeting people and reading... Eventually I decided that the time was right to find a mentor and start my DWA training.... Being in the hobby I already knew people who had venomous so it wasn't too difficult to find someone to teach me.... Luckily the guy that took me under his wing also had mates that were well into DWAL animals.... I ended up learning off three people.... One went to uni with you Mark and is a mate of yours I think, Peter Heathcote, he's probably one of the leading exponents in Crocs and their Species... Even though Crocs aren't my thing it was an interesting day and I learned a lot... Anyway long story short I've now been into snakes for over 35 yrs and my venomous room has no venomous snakes in it.... I realised that I found Morelia far more interesting to keep breed and show off to people.... What I am trying to say is, until you get a snake and make a start you can't say what interests you. ATM the notion of venomous is an ideal to you and ideals never live up to expectations in real life... You, like me, may find another species that floats your boat... And the other point I am making is, until you enter the hobby you won't get to meet the people you need to mentor you... After all would you invite a stranger into your house to share with you.... Best of luck with your quest and if you want a nice snake to start you off, get a Carpet.... Husbandry isn't demanding for a newb and it will bite you when it's young..... LOL And I know a guy that sells them Regards MIKE
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07-11-2009, 01:35 PM
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There is some sound advice on here, take heed and learn from others' experience. As it's been said by many, until you actually start in the hobby you don't actually know what you like; you only think you do.
When I was a kid, I just wanted a snake...any snake. Then one day, walking past the local pet shop, I saw that he had some red-sided garters in. They fascinated me, seeing any snake in a shop in those days was quite a rarity, at least where I lived anyway. After a week or so of going in and watching them and pestering the shop owner with a million questions, I eventually bought one. I was about 14 at the time, I still remember walking (struggling) home with the snake, viv (fish tank), and substrate, etc and realising what I had done. My Dad was going to kill me; I could feel his wrath with each step I took nearer home. Luckily he wasn't in when I got home, so I set everything up and watched my new snake for ages. Then my Dad came through the door.... He was just as fascinated as me, came as quite a surprise. He helped (well he did it on his own, I got in the way) make a secure lid for the fish tank and we wired a household central heating thermostat to the bulb. Everything was make do in those days; you kids don't know how easy you have it hehehehe. I was like the proverbial pig in sh*t, I had my snake and everyday was a learning experience just observing his daily routine of basking, foraging for food, etc. The first time I saw him slough I was in awe. In those days there was no internet, I bought every book there was and read everything I could on my new found hobby. I tracked down the local herp club and expanded my knowledge further from their advice/experience. A few had venomous and I thought maybe that's the direction I wanted to take. The next purchase, a year or so after getting my garter, was a burm. This time I just came home with the snake, expecting the worst from my Dad. So irresponsible of me, but I was a kid..not even 16 yet. But again, my Dad was fantastic, he made a purpose built viv. However, he did say that that was my last purchase unless he agreed otherwise. All the while, I was still reading, meeting with fellow herpers, going to shows, learning all I could. I eventually got my own place and then the bug hit big time. Buying more and more. I had all sorts, used to go to the local shop and check out the lists and get him to order anything and everything. The dining room was converted into a rep room and there were vivs filling every wall and surface. But one day, I decided that the only things that really excited me were arboreal snakes, along with the Ig and the burm. So everything went apart from those. The burm was a nice size now, and so was the Ig. I also had a pair of mangroves, a paradise snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) and long nosed tree snakes (Aheatulla prasina) and the garter (had to keep my first snake), plus a couple of red-sided sliders. Eventually times change and I joined the RAF and sadly I had to reduce my collection, sad times. My little sister was also now into the hobby due to me. So she had the burm (with my Dad's blessing) and the garter, my Dad had the sliders and the rest went to new homes. I was then posted to Cyprus and soon met a great man who taught me many things. He kept his own reptile farm and at first I used to just go and watch but eventually we became great friends. He must have thought me an oddity at first as I would spend ages in there, observing and asking questions, etc. He eventually, let me help with the daily maintenance/feeding and I felt so privileged. That guy taught me a lot. But I always had an uneasy feeling when he was teaching me handling techniques of the venomous. Realised it probably wasn't for me. He kept the lot in there; mainly big pythons/boids to venomous, from the local stuff to gaboons, rattlers, cobras, Igs and caiman, etc. Even various primates. One day he even took me to the local zoo, where the keeper handed him the keys to the leopard enclosure. In we went and the next thing the leopard came over and was rolling around like a puppy. He used to keep it at his home but eventually donated it to the zoo. We also went behind the scenes to the see the lion cubs. Was a fascinating day, as every day was with him. The most frightening part was being on the back of his motorbike, with no helmet on, whilst he whizzed in between the traffic... I was getting itchy again. I needed my own snake. I used to go on field trips, catching black whips (Coluber jugularis), the Cypriot whip (Coluber cypriensis), Montpellier (Malpolon monspessulanus) and the blunt nosed viper (Vipera lebetina). I never saw the other species of Cypriot snakes, except in my friend's collection. I used to keep them for a while then release them where I found them. Of the many vipers I owned, I was always ill at ease when having to capture, handle, etc. That's is when I realised venomous wasn't for me. When I was posted back to the UK I bought an Ig, had him for 15 years until he sadly passed away. He was such a character and puppy soft. I go back to Cyprus quite regularly, although I haven't been for a couple of years. Last time I went, as usual, one of the first things I do is scoot round to my friends place. However, this time it was closed down. So off I went to his house. This is where I found out that the year previously he was tagged by a King. He was distracted and it caught him on his thumb. Was in hospital for some time, "died" three times and was in a coma for a few days. He made a complete recovery (almost), he's lost the top part of his thumb but also feels out of breath all the time. This is from a man who has kept all sorts over the years and really knows his stuff. He's confident in handling and very knowledgeable. Now, I still keep arboreal, it's what floats my boat. Mangroves, Cyanea, Aheatulla & Chrysopelea & Rough greens. I would like to get a Burm again one day and maybe an Ig as I've still got a soft spot for those. I have also got into frogs; White's, Red-eyed and Darts. So the point of this long drawn out drivel is: whatever you may think you like, might not be the case. Keeping venomous isn't the next step on the snake keeping ladder. Some people go a lifetime without moving into that arena. I tried it, wasn't for me. There are so many fascinating species out there, without even having to contemplate venomous. However, take the next few years getting to know husbandry, handling techniques, etc and learn as much as you can before even thinking about moving on to venomous. Be prepared & be careful. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.
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I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered. George Best Last edited by jasper1; 07-11-2009 at 01:42 PM..
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07-11-2009, 03:44 PM
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A very interesting story jasper1, and some very good advice. If there were more of these posts, I am sure more people would contribute to this site.
Thanks again for an interesting story, and such good advice for a novice keeper. Cheers, Brian.
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All venoms are poisons but not all poisons are venoms
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07-11-2009, 03:48 PM
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I have always been facinated by snakes. I am currently in talks with the family on letting me get hands=on experience. Mangrove Snakes + Falsies may not be dangerous, but bites are still extremely painful and they deserve a lot of respect and allergict reactions to the venom are never pleasant. Burm as in Burmese Python? I thought that was a bit of a bad idea being in-experienced......As they get bigger, they become dangerous (Around 8-10feet)
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Red on Black, You're OK Jack! Red on Yellow, Kills a fellow! 
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07-11-2009, 03:50 PM
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I agree....
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Red on Black, You're OK Jack! Red on Yellow, Kills a fellow!
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