HOT lizards compared to HOT snakes

[Sylvias]

here is what the permit application states:

"Provide documentation of a minimum of 1 year experience (to consist of no less than 1000 hrs.) within the family(s) of reptiles, for which the permit is
requested. Include a description of the specific experience, dates, and location(s) where it was acquired. Include no less than 2 reference letters from
individuals having personal knowledge of your stated experience. "

I don't know for sure but I think that this means that as long as you have worked with that genus within your 1000 hours then you are set. Once you have the permit though I know that you can use it to obtain any species and when you submit the inventory form once a year they do not ask you to clarify which ones your permit is supposedly for. I probably did not have 1000 hours working with cobras or arboreal vipers when I got the permit since most of my training was with native hots in the field and yet they did not seem to care when I told them I was getting eyelash vipers and monocled cobras. The system is not enforced at all once you get the permit (which I am fine with) because they do not keep up with inspections they do not inquire about what species (with the exception of a survey once a year) you keep and they do not ask for proof of purchase for newly acquired hot snakes- all of which is "supposed" to be done.

They probably aren't keeping up with you because you are a private keeper that isn't breeding or showing. Mitch and Travis have both complained of the recent changes taking place that are causing them even more problems because the FWS is cracking down and really starting to enforce stuff. But Mitch breeds and sells and Travis exhibits so they are interacting with the public and all that.

According to what you posted I interpret that as having 1000 hours with each family.... Thats what it says isn't it?
so 1000 with the family elapidae, 1000 hours with family crotalidae etc... needing 1000 hours for each genus would be ridiculous and make it impossible for anyone to keep anything lol but for family is... still somewhat ridiculous but at least understandable

 

[Etunes]

Well i am honestly only interested in gilas (as i love lizards) and gaboons (as i find them fascinating snakes). The thing is i am fine with how everything goes but the only thing is i would love to exhibit them someday as i love educating the public. I feel like i am doing something productive and at the same time the joy i see of the other animal lovers out there and the kids is something i love seeing.

 

[rudukai13]

The interesting thing to examine here is the differences in danger between venomous snakes and lizards. When you compare the two, I'd be inclined to say that venomous snakes are by far more dangerous. If you are dealing with a pissed off snake, you never know exactly how far it's strike-range is - you can never be sure of just where you can hold your hand to keep it safe or where you're at risk of a bite. But take a look at a gila and beaded - their strike range, while admittedly not precisely indentifiably, is much more predictable; basically it's the length of the animals head and that about it. Obviously they have the capability to swing around and latch on to something that's near their tail, but the point here is that it can't throw it's mouth out (some species of venomous snakes can cover 100% of their body length in a strike) and strike something without physically moving it's body closer to what it wants to bite. This is the original reason that I said I'd consider acquiring a gila but not a hot snake, simply because I felt they were safer - note, not safe, but safer in comparison. After doing lots of reading though, I'm beginning to change my feelings in terms of venomous snakes, and feel that after proper training and preperation that I would be more than willing to accept the risk and responsibility of caring for one or two species of hot snakes.

 

[snakeguy101]

The interesting thing to examine here is the differences in danger between venomous snakes and lizards. When you compare the two, I'd be inclined to say that venomous snakes are by far more dangerous. If you are dealing with a pissed off snake, you never know exactly how far it's strike-range is - you can never be sure of just where you can hold your hand to keep it safe or where you're at risk of a bite. But take a look at a gila and beaded - their strike range, while admittedly not precisely indentifiably, is much more predictable; basically it's the length of the animals head and that about it. Obviously they have the capability to swing around and latch on to something that's near their tail, but the point here is that it can't throw it's mouth out (some species of venomous snakes can cover 100% of their body length in a strike) and strike something without physically moving it's body closer to what it wants to bite. This is the original reason that I said I'd consider acquiring a gila but not a hot snake, simply because I felt they were safer - note, not safe, but safer in comparison. After doing lots of reading though, I'm beginning to change my feelings in terms of venomous snakes, and feel that after proper training and preperation that I would be more than willing to accept the risk and responsibility of caring for one or two species of hot snakes.

Although I agree to an extent, I think that you need to be careful with this sort of attitude of "they are not as dangerous as snakes" because it is when you become comfortable with them when you will get bit. There is no animal more dangerous than the other because the deadliest Hot on earth is the one that just bit you. I would exercise the same protocols with a beaded lizard or Gila as I do with my cobras. That being said, These guys can be tamed down to be puppy dogs and you totally would just never have to worry about them but even then I would still be cautious.

 

[Sylvias]

Well i am honestly only interested in gilas (as i love lizards) and gaboons (as i find them fascinating snakes). The thing is i am fine with how everything goes but the only thing is i would love to exhibit them someday as i love educating the public. I feel like i am doing something productive and at the same time the joy i see of the other animal lovers out there and the kids is something i love seeing.

Make good money...
To display venomous animals there is a $10,000 insurance fee or something like that. At least I assume it must be for insurance reasons should anything happen while you were displaying. Another reason I am leaving florida... I don't mind the permit but I ain't paying that fee to teach people about snakes and safety etc.
Not to mention I really want my indigos and that permit is even more of a pain in the ass.

 

[Etunes]

In the end i really only seeing me owning a gila, not really any hot snakes as i am content with all the non venemous animals out there. But i would still like the training.

 

[rudukai13]

Although I agree to an extent, I think that you need to be careful with this sort of attitude of "they are not as dangerous as snakes" because it is when you become comfortable with them when you will get bit. There is no animal more dangerous than the other because the deadliest Hot on earth is the one that just bit you. I would exercise the same protocols with a beaded lizard or Gila as I do with my cobras. That being said, These guys can be tamed down to be puppy dogs and you totally would just never have to worry about them but even then I would still be cautious.

I absolutely agree, I would never suggest that a gila or beaded isn't dangerous. And I completely agree with your statement about the most dangerous hot being the one that just bit you. But the point I was trying to make is that it's easier to make a mistake with a snake that results in a bite than with a gila or beaded, due to the increased strike-range of a hot snake over either of the two lizards. The distance at which a gila or beaded can strike at is much more predictable than that of a snake. This is the original logic I used to justify wanting a gila but not a venomous snake - while there is still risk with the gila, It's not the same risk as a snake that can strike at you and land a bite from several feet away.