"Hot" Herps - To Have Or Not To Have?

 

An Opinion By Mark M. Verduin

 

What is a "hot" herp? Basically, any reptile or amphibian that is venomous in nature. Among the more commonly kept "hot" herps we have Gila monsters, beaded lizards, cobras(king, indian, monocled, spitting, cape, and others), rattlesnakes(diamondback, pigmy, dusky, and others), vipers(gaboon, Russell"s, eyelash, and others), asps, and the beautiful coral snakes.

Why do we keep them? There are a few reasons, some good, some bad...the "good" ones include: scientific/medical research on things like their behaviour, population dynamics, reproductive strategies, & venom properties; conservation(captive breeding & re-introduction); and education of the public on their importance in the "circle of life", to paraphrase Mufassa, from Disney's "The Lion King". Some "bad" reasons are: just because we "want" one; because they're "cool!"; because it's the "macho" thing to have.

Herpetoculture has come a long way in the last few years, and is becoming more and more popular. However, there still exists in the general public a "negative" attitude towards these creatures, and the people who keep them. Much has been done, and still needs to be done, to change this. How many times do we hear about someone who was bitten by their "pet" cobra or rattlesnake & rushed to the hospital in a battle to save his life? These horror stories are made even more scarier by the generally biased communicational media who rarely get the facts straight but focus instead on the sensationalism of the event. And what happens to the unfortunate creature who did nothing but act totally in accordance with its natural instincts? Usually, it is "sacrificed". The end result is another "nail in the coffin", so to speak; complaints are made and new laws are enacted, resulting in even more restrictions being imposed on those who would like to keep these creatures; outright banning of any exotic species can also happen - and does! How many cities or entire states prohibit entirely the keeping of any exotic reptile or amphibian? A surprisingly large number...

As herpetoculturists and hobbyists we have the responsibility not only to keep our "charges" in a manner that is beneficial and humane to them, but also to keep them in such a way as to benefit the public, NOT scare them half to death! People have the right not to be subjected to sudden exposure of something they fear, especially if it is dangerous. Let's face it, who in their right minds would want to be walking down the hall and suddenly come across a 10-foot king cobra that escaped from their neighbor's apartment?

For those would keep "hot" herps, hopefully for the "right" reasons, I offer these simple guidelines:

  • Do it legally! Get the proper permits from your local DNR/Animal Control Office.

  • Keep the animal(s) in escape-proof, lockable cages, and keep these cages in escape-proof, locked rooms.

  • Always have a buddy nearby(within visual range) when doing maintenance or feeding.

  • NEVER handle animals with bare hands! Use heavy leather gloves, or, better yet, use snake hooks.

  • Keep an adequate supply of the proper antivenin on hand at all times; sooner or later, YOU WILL GET BITTEN!

  • Never allow unsupervised people into the "hot" area, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN! Along the same lines, NEVER take the animal(s) out into a public place for "show" unless it is part of a specially arranged educational demonstration in a prepared site.

    In conclusion, let me say this: we have the right to enjoy our hobby, but let us remember that others have rights and expectations too...be responsible, set the example, and we can continue to enjoy our hobby without being hassled, stigmatized, or stereotyped as weird or undesirable.

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