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Columbia Purchase....couldn't help it...dial up no

I know they're really cool snakes, but I don't really understand why people keep poisonous snakes? I mean, I love snakes, especially rare or unusual snakes, but copperheads are really dangerous. I had a little cousin die from a copperhead bite right down the road from me.
I'm not trying to tell you you're wrong, I'm just asking, why do you keep poisonous snakes??
 
Nice snake Meg. I think copperheads are my favorite North American hot. Love the coloration. Great buy and enjoy!!!!
 
salvadorian said:
I know they're really cool snakes, but I don't really understand why people keep poisonous snakes? I mean, I love snakes, especially rare or unusual snakes, but copperheads are really dangerous. I had a little cousin die from a copperhead bite right down the road from me.
I'm not trying to tell you you're wrong, I'm just asking, why do you keep poisonous snakes??
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They're not poisonous.
 
They are venomous-not poisonous, and the attraction is the beauty of the snake itself. I'm surprised that it was a copperhead that killed your cousing. While printing out protocol sheets for a bite (there are none for the copperhead by the way) I found there has only been two fatal bites from Copperheads and nothing recently. They are considered more mild as far as venom and usually treatment consists of supportive care and nothing more. You definitely don't want to get bitten, but as far as hots go, they are less of a risk than other species.
 
Well, yes, it's venomous, not poisonous... I know that... but that is what killed her. She was only three, and I was much younger then, so... I don't know the details except for that I know it was a copperhead. Perhaps not all fatal bites are published.
But yes, I wasn't saying that it's bad for someone to keep one. I was just genuinely curious about why someone wants one. That's all.
 
Mostly the same reason why you keep non venomous. They are the same excepting the bite can be a problem. The fascination of keeping these awesome animals is what has us hooked. Not all snakes can be handled, venomous or non. We keep them anyway for their beauty and enjoy them from afar. I can't handle my eyelash viper either, but he's so fascinating and beautiful that I just love him all the same.
 
salvadorian said:
Well, yes, it's venomous, not poisonous... I know that... but that is what killed her. She was only three, and I was much younger then, so... I don't know the details except for that I know it was a copperhead. Perhaps not all fatal bites are published.
But yes, I wasn't saying that it's bad for someone to keep one. I was just genuinely curious about why someone wants one. That's all.
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Copperhead bites can be fatal to young children just because they're so small, so that was probably why she died. As long as you're a healthy adult, you really should have no worries about copperhead bites being fatal.
 
Ya, what she said. In my research there was only 1 recorded adult fatality from a copperhead, in Turkey, because he was allergic to the venom from being bitten by so many snakes in his life.
 
There isn't even a protocol for the bite. You use the crotalus protocols if you do anything at all, and most medical texts call for supportive care such as steroids, anti-inflammatories and that sort of thing. Necrosis is your worst part and compartment syndrome although that is rare with the Copperheads. Most people come through it with nothing more than being observed by medical personnel. I'm very cautious with my venomous animals and do not handle them any more than I must and that's with snake hooks, gloves or snake tongs, depending upon the size of the animal. The idea is not to handle them at all (hands on the body I mean) ever. I've not had to handle any of mine yet. Just use the hooks and they do fine.
 
Meg where are you finding the bite protocols? I did a little searching and didn't see much but I haven't done anything extensive yet. I want to put together an emergency packet for a few species.
 
CrazyCorn said:
Meg where are you finding the bite protocols? I did a little searching and didn't see much but I haven't done anything extensive yet. I want to put together an emergency packet for a few species.
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You have to consult with the medical places near you and find out which ones have anti-venom, then that becomes your bite protocol. Also, emergency numbers, first aid techniques, etc.
 
Here is the crotalus protocol, which is what is used for Copperheads:
http://drdavidson.ucsd.edu/Portals/0/snake/Crotalus.htm
Here is the total bite protocol list:
http://drdavidson.ucsd.edu/Portals/0/snake/proinde.htm
I just copied and pasted the protocols into a word document, printed them off and put them in a notebook. I also have a post bite report in there as well as my medical history with any allergies listed. This is kept in the snake room and will accompany you to the hospital in the event of a bite. It also has the number to the Dade county venom bank and to numbers for bite specialists.
 
Here are a few I took of her today. She's so beautiful....
copperheadnbabies001.jpg

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copperheadnbabies013.jpg
 
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