A note from my in-box

[Viperkeeper]

This is a note in my YouTube in box this morning. Sometimes a reminder is good about what we do and the consequences of a mistake. The note just before this one was another "Whats a good starter Hot"


I'm a hot handler but not a hot keeper. It's just not practical or necessary for me to keep hots myself. I was also bitten by a Northern Copperhead last year that took more than 18 months to fully recover from, which made me seriously rethink the consequenses of making mistakes and whether I was doing it for the right reasons. It made me a far more cautious handler and now I rarely do it at all. There are already enough people out there hurting this hobby and I believe in responsible keeping in the proper setting, like what you have set up. Very nice. At some point I would like to get back in to keeping some hots if I was in a situation where I could do some worthwhile education. I love your work and I'm glad there are people like you out there teaching responsibility and prudence. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[roseabell]

here here I second that.

I must say I have watched some of your vids on you tube and agree with the above.

[jaysnakeman]

its a good reminder but how can a bite he recieved in 07 have taken 18 months to recover from?

[knighty]

hi mate watched alot of your vids, and although i dont keep hots i find your work and venemous snakes facinating!

it shows that even with experience you still have to be carfull though!

looking foward to seeing what mad beasty meets the camera next!

keep it up and be safe!

[Viperkeeper]

The topic is often discussed but one needs to consider the "Big Picture" which the poster skims just the surface.

The cost in $$ of this 18 month recovery, CroFab is $1000/vial, six at least for a Copperhead bite. 3 day hospital stay if not a complicated bite. About 30,000 usd I would guess.

Animal considerations:
Copperheads are fairly twitchy and pissy
Bad eater/ forcefeeding
What if you need to remove a bad shed or substrate from it's mouth.

These are just a few things that newbe's don't consider when they ask these questions. That is why if I answer this question at all I tell them "Somebody elses venomous snakes" makes the best starter snake. Simply you will be learning what you need to know about husbantry & handling under the care of a mentor.


Cheers!

Al