So I've got a few snakes already about 4 of them, but I am looking to go for at least on exotic snake. The four I have are all pythons/boas and I've been taking care of these animals over a period of six years and I am looking into getting something a bit more out there. A friend of mine is a lot more into snakes then I am and he's offered to mentor me in getting a Hot snake(Poisonous) or a Burmese python. I have more experience in raising these animals and taking care of them but cannot choose. So I ask you which do you guys think would be better? The Hot snake would most likely be a Copperhead or Rattler. It would require me to do maybe two years worth of preperations and training just to understand how to take care of it and what to do to avoid getting bitten. Cost wise though I don't think it would be nearly as expensive as a Burmese python would be as it requires a larger cage and large animals for feeding once it reaches a larger size. How ever it would definitely be less dangerous then keeping a hot snake. The Burmese python isn't my only choice as he recommended a (I said no because its more wild.) Green Anaconda. The reason why i turned the idea down was due to the difficulty of having to take care of it. As they often refuse to eat and even Zoo's have a hard time keeping them. Burmese pythons how ever I have studied and looked into previously and they are not nearly as difficult to take care of. It would still require some training as once it reaches a certain length (They can reach up to 20 feet in length, but most likely to be around 15-16 ft.) it requires at least one other person to help take care of it. Which my friend has offered to actually help with the feeding and handling. It's not nearly as dangerous as a poisonous snake would be. Plus antivenin is rather hard to obtain with out help and even with antivenin a bite would require a trip to the doctor. Even though the training is supposed to teach me how to avoid getting bitten its almost impossible to be 100% certain that it won't happen. Which do you guys think I should look into getting?
I would just get a dog. No offence, I just really don't think snakes make good pets. But hey, I have absolutely no experience with them.
I'm kind of beyond the point of deciding whether I want a snake or not. Like I said I own four snakes which I have been taking care of for about six years. Kind of late for me to be switching to a dog.
Tough choice, very tough, Question what are your 4 previous snakes?(type, so far you said python/boas, but I want a little more details). Since you have experience with constrictors and have a friend willing to help out, I would say the Burmese python. but im also wondering what type of hot snake your thinking of getting since you can choose a less poisonous type and work with that, even so far as getting some of its venom and letting the least amount(and still diluting that a bit) of it into your bloodstream(so long as its venom is a neurotoxin, do not try this if your snake venom is a cytotoxin or haemotoxin) to work on getting a high resistance(and / or getting immune) to it, so you will be more prepared for when / if it bites you.
Majorly, your choice. It comes down to you though. If you have a slight fear of a poisinous snake, getting bitten. I advise not to go that way. Thay seem that the poisinous and the non are both about the same price. The first choice being more informal. The other more caring for it. Just because I would be scared of a poisinous snakes. Non-Poisinous.
Erm, isn't that just an urban myth? Getting immunity to a neurotoxic seems pretty unrealistic to me. I mean, just the smallest amount is supposed to kill you. Kill you.
Actualy no it isn't, if you inject small enough doses every day into yourself your anti bodies will become used to it and effectively nuetralize it. And i would go for the rattlesnake, just be sure to have a couple vials of anti-venom handy or an epi-pen.
It's not an urban myth....Rulers commonly used to poison their own foods in increasing amounts to build up an immunity. @ OP - If you go with a poisonous snake, I suppose there's also the possibility of milking it and selling the venom?
I currently have a Red blood python, Ball python, Rainbow Boa, and a Emerald tree boa. The emerald tree boa I would say is the toughest to take care of and was the hardest to set up because I had to build its cage from scratch.
Look, I´ve got way more experience than you with snakes, and in fact I can just recommend you to throw them away if you don´t want to kill them, those things will try to kill you anyday they´re pissed off or kind of hungry, one of my friends got killed that way, he got 11 local snakes, one of the poisonous ones escaped and bited him, A coral, we had to search the whole house for the thing in order to kill it along with the others. a lot of wild ones use to get into my house now and then, believe me, give them away to a zoo or kill them, that will be the best, both for you and the snakes
I agree, I see no fun in animals like snakes. You can't have any fun with them in my book. I would say just get a dog or a cat, hell maybe even a ferret. But that doesn't help you nor answer your question. If I was a snake lover, and wanted an exotic snake I would probably get a: Striped Clown I'm really diggin the look of the Yellow Python Maybe somebody can help you here.
Okay you obviously didn't read my post. I am not just considering a poisonous snake. I am also looking at a Burmese pythons which I do have experience with btw. The poisonous snake would be my first and I would have training from a professional snake handler. I would also have the anti venom ready to use if needed. So I wouldn't be unprepared for a bite if and when it happens. The thing is learning how not to get bit though. As for their aggressiveness yeah there's not much you can do about it, but if your careful and don't play with the animal then you don't need to worry about it.
Yeah, they would just eat the dog lol. Interesting pet choice, but not my pick of choice, i 'only' got a cat.
