Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Venomous Snakes Forum   Forums   Home   Log-In   Log-Out   Members Area  

Venomous Snakes Forum

Eekster   Eekster   T_k17603   Sully   Eekster   JEFF QUARLES   Eekster   TJP   Eekster   Sully   Eekster   Sully   TJP   Eekster   Sully   Eekster   DeadByDesign   Sully   Dawn & Terry   JEFF QUARLES   DeadByDesign   Lookinforcopperheads  
 Member  Message

 #1733465


Eekster
View Profile

 Copperhead Opinions

I was talking with a friend tonight about copperheads and Whether or not they make good starters.

I don’t personally feel they make good starters other than the fact you are not likely to die if you receive a bite. On the other hand they don’t hook all that well and are constantly on the move typically aggressive. I can think of a few other species that would make better starters while the venom is more toxic the snakes are easier to work with.

We just decided to make this post to see what everyone else thinks. I’m looking for opinions from people that own or have owned copperheads not from prospectors.

Thanks
Eric G.


05/12/08  09:04PM

 #1733555


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1733465


 Copperhead Opinions

Come on people I know your still awake! LOL


JK
Eric

05/12/08  10:04PM

 #1733603


T_k17603
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1733555


 Copperhead Opinions

my copperhead is very unpredictable, and does not hook well. on the other hand my panamint rattlesnake hooks very well, and is normally pretty laid back
05/12/08  10:38PM

 #1733771


Sully
View Profile



   Message To: T_k17603   In reference to Message Id: 1733603


 Copperhead Opinions

well i have never owned a copperhead but......

















:)
05/13/08  02:05AM

 #1733776


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: Sully   In reference to Message Id: 1733771


 Copperhead Opinions

But......

Was ther supposed to be more?

05/13/08  02:23AM

 #1733840


JEFF QUARLES
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1733465


 Copperhead Opinions

I personally think they are the perfect starters. For one, venomous shouldn’t really be taken out and hooked anyway unless you are doing a program of some sort. They are good eaters, do very well in captivity and pose little threat to life...
05/13/08  07:12AM

 #1733929


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: JEFF QUARLES   In reference to Message Id: 1733840


 Copperhead Opinions

Jeff

That’s also a good point.
05/13/08  09:37AM

 #1733970


TJP
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1733929


 Copperhead Opinions

"On the other hand they don’t hook all that well and are constantly on the move typically aggressive"

I think they make perfect first time venomous. My personal opinion is that if you can’t hook or control a copperhead, you shouldn’t own any "true" venomous snake. I’ve never had a problem with any I’ve kept or handled, large or small. There is nothing difficult about handling copperhead’s.
And, this is directed at anyone specific.
05/13/08  11:05AM

 #1734004


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: TJP   In reference to Message Id: 1733970


 Copperhead Opinions

TJP These are the opinions I’m looking for.

First time handlers learning on their own is the scenerio.
05/13/08  11:52AM

 #1734101


Sully
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1734004


 Copperhead Opinions

eekster... it was a joke. you said you wanted to hear only from people who have owned copperheads before... ...
05/13/08  02:32PM

 #1734112


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: Sully   In reference to Message Id: 1734101


 Copperhead Opinions

Sorry I was in an od state last evening Stress from works got me on out of sorts.
05/13/08  02:40PM

 #1734120


Sully
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1734112


 Copperhead Opinions

no worries man, i also had a rough day yesterday.
05/13/08  02:48PM

 #1734148


TJP
View Profile



   Message To: Sully   In reference to Message Id: 1734120


 Copperhead Opinions

Eekster, do you mean handling and keeping for the first time for ANY venomous snake without any experience? If that’s the case....I definitely don’t think they are good starters, nor is any venomous. A mentor and someone elses snake is always the best and safest way to go, THEN a copperhead would make a good starter. I’m abit biased as far as people going out and buying a snake without any formal handling experience....it’s just not safe. However, if one was to do that, it’d be best that they did it with a copperhead, and not something ridiculous like a gaboon, cobra, or russell’s viper. Sad thing is, it has and does happen, but usually the snakes scare them enough to make them get rid of them.
The first snake I ever handled was a southern copperhead that was a friends. Then went to rattlesnakes, and urutu’s....and it just kinda progressed from there, like with many other people. A southern was also the first venomous I ever purchased.
Is your friend thinking about getting into venomous?
On a side note, we were in CR a few years ago and we caught a wild asper. There was a girl there who handled the snake.....and it was her second time with a hook and venomous snake. Go figure. I held my breath the whole time and was against it, but who am I?



05/13/08  03:10PM

 #1734193


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: TJP   In reference to Message Id: 1734148


 Copperhead Opinions

Eekster, do you mean handling and keeping for the first time for ANY venomous snake without any experience?

You got it! A mentor is the best way I agree but that is not always an option. My friend and I were just discussing this topic and I’m a bit hard headed sometimes so I turned to the forums to open my mind a little.

The new comers to the hobby seem to think copperheads are a easy since everyone recommends them as a first hot. You are the first person I have noticed that stated after being mentored a copperhead is a good choice. I agree if you have had some hands on a copperhead will not be that much of a challenge but never dealing with a venomous snake and unleashing a 3ft copperhead from a deli cup after a long show might turn into quite the challange.

05/13/08  03:42PM

 #1734238


Sully
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1734193


 Copperhead Opinions

eekster, please list the snakes you find better than copperheads but have stronger venom, for the ’’noobs’’ like me on RZ who wish to get into hots eventually.
05/13/08  04:16PM

 #1734256


Eekster
View Profile



   Message To: Sully   In reference to Message Id: 1734238


 Copperhead Opinions

Well I’m not certain all of these are necessarily stronger but possible hard to get anti venom for. The panamints have a potent venom for sure but your not likely to receive a bite from one unless your really acting stupid.

I’m not saying run out and get one of these snake they are just a few that are typically more laid back than copperheads in my opinion.

Panamint rattlers
Pygmy Rattlers
Slender hog nose vipers
Desert horned vipers
Sidewinders

05/13/08  04:36PM

 #1734271


DeadByDesign
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1733465


 Copperhead Opinions

in the end its gonna be better to have a copper although they don’t hook as nice as other species if a bite does occur you will be glad a week later that you got a copper i personally started with a copper and i don’t think its particularly the best for starters if i had to recommend a starter snake it would be the pygmy rattlesnake they are very small and manageable not to mention beautiful and unordinary there bites aren’t fatal to a healthy adult and anti venin should be relatively easy to get if a bite does occur
05/13/08  04:49PM

 #1734320


Sully
View Profile



   Message To: DeadByDesign   In reference to Message Id: 1734271


 Copperhead Opinions

thanks eekster im glad to hear sidewinders as i might be moving to vegas soon ( here in colorado it is totally illegal to have hots-not possible to get a permit ) whereas vegas lets you keep up to 4 ( i think ) of each native species.



as far as sitrurus go-- i thought they were pretty wiggly and also dont hook well.
05/13/08  05:29PM

 #1734479


Dawn & Terry
View Profile



   Message To: Sully   In reference to Message Id: 1734320


 Copperhead Opinions

Our sidewinder is very laid back. Rarely rattles anymore. Almost leads you into a false sense of security.

05/13/08  07:47PM

 #1734841


JEFF QUARLES
View Profile



   Message To: DeadByDesign   In reference to Message Id: 1734271


 Copperhead Opinions

I don’t know about the pigmy. small and actually very difficult to handle. when I take mine out for a cage cleaning, it gives me a fit and damn near gets under other inclosures trying to get away. their venom is extremely underestimated and quite toxic.
05/14/08  12:34AM

 #1735379


DeadByDesign
View Profile



   Message To: Dawn & Terry   In reference to Message Id: 1734479


 Copperhead Opinions

My desert horned vipers sidewind and they are very unmanageable with a hook i could see a sidewinder being a little easyer cuz they are a bit bigger but they way they move they seem to just slide off my hooks. i dont like to use those pincher hooks they just piss my snakes off
05/14/08  05:32PM

 #2036262


Lookinforcopperheads
View Profile



   Message To: Eekster   In reference to Message Id: 1733555


 Copperhead Opinions

i want a copperhead so bad are you selling any of yours or know who is please replythanks alot
07/08/09  04:22PM


Back to Venomous Snakes Forum   Forums   Home   Log-In   Log-Out   Members Area