viper identification..

[davo]

I really think you need some more experiance personally with non-hot herps. Although there aren't starter hots... copperheads come up a lot. Easy to look after, and generally hookable. I know people try keeping false water cobras too.
Either way, look up to see if there are any reptile clubs in your area, see if you can find some canadian based reptile forum... see if you can find someone out there, who might at the least offer some advice over the net, most be happy to mentor you. Remember though, there are still many people who are hesitant due to legal and cost issues... not to mention they're all round impression of whether they think it would be a good idea for you personally.

 

[RyanR]

Im sick of arguing with this guy,

www.reptilescanada.com

go there, post in the hot forum, and put on your flame suit

 

[Fishes33]

Im sick of arguing with this guy,

www.reptilescanada.com

go there, post in the hot forum, and put on your flame suit

I havent even argue, I am just stating my comments silly!

Mentor? Dont think I can even find one around my area

Also, Im looking into Boiga cyanea (Green Cat Snake), they are sooo cute too but they are soo big.. 1.9m if they can be any smaller itd be perfect

Indeed.....venomoids are a whole other heated discussion within itself. But yeah, in many species, its not permanent. Best case scenario, its a huge waste of money; worst case, its a deadly accident waiting to happen.

For more perspective, take a look at this forum: http://www.venomdoc.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=da885460e0f3340e46393e65beb14a6b

blah! I wouldnt even remove it, thats sooo wrong, if Id have to remove it just to keep myself safe, I rather not keeping it at all. Its gonna be painful as hell for them, why I'd keep an animal and they have to suffer to compensate my safety? Even if they dont feel a thing, I still wouldnt do it. It's not right at all!

 

[Fishes33]

Now if you buy your own anti-venin, doctors WILL NOT use it since they would have no idea what dosage to use, how to use and or what it is for. Even if you do get them, they do expire after every couple of years and they are EXPENSIVE into the couple of thousands for one vial. Usually you need multiple vials; sometimes you would need upward of 20 or more vials to treat the venom if it is serious enough. Now there is the OAVB, but they are POORLY funded and will probably not have the anti-venin you need. If they don't have what you need, then they would have to get it across the border which take time. Time is money; time is your depleting lifeline. To add to the burn of the stupidity of getting bitten, the universal medicare doesn't seem to be so universal anymore; you will have to pay for the health care you received. That alone can easily put you into a bind.

Your Right! Id have to look into that issue too ^^

Sorry for double post, I post it before id got a chance to read ^^

 

[davo]

Another reason why this snake would probably be more expensive than a GTP in the first place.
Get a yellow ATB if you like the yellow...

 

[Kioka]

There's a few people in Ontario that do mentorings. You just have to be willing to work under them for a certain number of hours a week, be nice, respect them and express your interest in an intelligent way. I was offered to be mentored out east by someone while in Grande Prairie. I declined because I love Alberta way too much.

 

[davo]

Just thought... you could ask any reptile shops in your area, they'll sometimes have licences and MIGHT help you out.

 

[guppy]

Now this thread is begining to become the helpful place it should be.
Mentors can be found almost anywhere if you look around enough, start with local reptile keepers clubs.

 

[Rass]

Dude just try a Yellow Amazon Tree Boa, they are cool looking, easy to find and very cheap. Even if its not yellow, it will give you some idea of how to deal with a snappy and aggressive arboreal snake. They are small snakes and you can find them between $45-$100. Only the most colorful species are more expensive, the highest I've ever seen I think was around $300 but that is not common. They are frequently available on Kingsnake.com. Even if you still wanted the other snake, if you got a cheap ATB, you could keep IT and the experience you gain from it could be a reason to own one more snake. Could be a relatively inexpensive way to prepare yourself. Many ATB's are very "bitey" so if you take a couple hits from it, think about it being venomous every time and you might change your mind about getting anything venomous.

 

[snakeguy101]

nope, but everyone get their first time

because its small, and non aggressive, it should be a good starter of venomous snake

you dont see me bragging about starting off with a juvi cobra

Living in Florida requires you to have 1000 hours of hands on training documented and letters of recommendations from other licensed venomous keepers. I would suggest volunteering down at a venom lab or working with someone who has a venomous snake before you go and get one yourself. My rule of thumb is to never lay hands on a hot snake, if it must be handled, use hooks and tongs (but only do it if it MUST be handled.) never attempt medical treatment on a hot snake and be warned that very few vets (even the exotic ones) will look at your prized eyelash viper.

There is no such thing as a good starter for a venomous snake. All of them are venomous and all of them have the potential to kill you if you have a bad reaction to the antivenin.

You are going about this in the wrong way. do not get this animal until you know what you are getting into!