Horses kill more people annually than venomous snakes in captivity. So do cows.
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I do agree that Horses and cattle are quite dangerous, but we have to consider that Horses and Cattle are kept in a significantly higher quantity than Venomous snakes domestically.
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In the US all venomous bites both captive and native are rolled into one statistic. The average year over year is 8 deaths per year. Most of those being the very young or elderly. Some years it’s as low as 1 or 2. It’s just not a significant issue. You’re far more likely to be struck by lightning than die from a snake bite.
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Generally, 5 people in the US were diagnosed with psittacosis (parrot fever). I was one of those. =_=;
I don’t think my case has ever actually been reported to the CDC though since they couldn’t confirm it.
I started on doxy a couple of days before I was asked to go in for swab testing. So the results came back negative.
I picked it up from a canary. 9_9
Statistics are frustrating because it can skew so many things. Look how dangerous a hippo is compared to a lion. Horse to snake. Shark to dog.
But the fact of the matter is still that you should really know what you are getting into. And a dangerous animal is definitely one that you want to be as cautious with as possible.
You put yourself in a much more likely place to have an incident when working with something. I’ve been bit and kicked by ponies. Bit by snakes. And thankfully only been bit 2x in a veterinary setting. I also know I have really bad luck, lol. There’s no way I would put myself in a situation with any of those animals that would lead to a serious injury.
But I ended up with a serious zoonotic disease because I was just doing my job cleaning bird cages for cute little feathered guys. XD;
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From reading all the replies, one common thing I’m noticing is to find a mentor and get trained. A question about that…where in the heck can I find someone highly experienced with hots to mentor me for a few years? I mean, would I hire someone? Look for them online? I’m stumped.
Edit: Would it be a good idea to ask someone who keeps a ton of hots or someone who only owns a few hots?
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Definitely! (About all of it.) Would it be smarter to keep western (rhino?) or eastern gaboons first? Also, are hybrids (such as the gabino) a okay idea, or is it extremely stupid?
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My suggestion for you if you do get into hots is this.
Start with something simple, a Gaboon, Rhino or Gabino have cardiotoxins and vasodialators in their venom, as well as the longest fangs of all venomous snakes. While they are not neurotoxic they can cause very serious damage to your body and heart.
I’d go for something along the lines of a snake that solely has hemotoxic venom, as you have the highest chance of survival from a bite that is only hemotoxic.
I’m not well versed in hots so I don’t know entirely if there are solely hemotoxic snakes or if hemotoxins can cause more damage besides blood clotting. But its your best bet for your own well being and survival to start simple. Work with spicy non hots first and get used to their behavior.
Unfortunately I can’t guide you to a mentor, I hope you can find what you are looking for.
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None of those species are a good start. Consider the ldl 50 of rhino/gaboons- it’s @ 60mg. Not a big number is it? Now consider a western diamond back - ldl50 of 200-300. Which do you think will up your chance of living? A snake that kills half of its victims with 60 mg of venom or 2-300 mg? Not entirely accurate but you get the gist.
Ldl50=lethal dose level for 50% of victims.
Do you live in Africa? If so bitis polyvalent may be more available. If you’re in the U.S. crofab poly will be more available. Outside those places and even areas of those places- good luck getting your doctor to acquire it for you. When you ask your doctor they may look in your ears to check the contents of your head and start asking questions to ascertain your mental health status.
It sounds like you intend to proceed. If so, go with a copperhead. There are a few others. Unlikely to kill you but you still will have a bad experience. Swelling, bruising, dry mouth, headache, tissue necrosis, tingling extremities, fingernail loss, hair loss on the limb that gets bit, possible amputation. A huge med bill. It is NOT a point of pride either. Other hot keepers are not going to congratulate you for surviving. In fact, other hot keepers will rip you a new one. And I, for one, would not be nice or sympathetic about it. Of course I would help but damn! What the frijoles were you thinking?
Now, a mentor. Where do you live? It’s hardly worth it to point you to someone unless you live a reasonable distance from them.
As for hiring them, I don’t think that will happen but you may be able to work for/with them. If they do not get the impression you are a fool. This is serious stuff you’re contemplating. Education will take you a long way if it is tailored to what you are trying to accomplish. If you want to jump in the deep end be prepared to drown or get water wings(education, mentor).
Humans learn by making mistakes, wisdom comes from mistakes. Mistakes best made by someone else.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely believe all snakes, including dangerous ones, deserve to be worked with and I have kept a few. I just never want to hear more of our hobby has been taken because of a small mistake. And being bitten is a small mistake. It’s the consequences that are massive.
I am not an all serious guy. Read some of my other posts. But if I’m in the snake room, you will not find a more focused, dead serious person. I will bark at you. I will swear at you. I will lecture you til you cry if I deem it necessary.
Please do not proceed unless/until you are in contact, in person, with experienced people.
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Geezus did @logar send you Gertie?
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Thankfully no! My feet are okay! 
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Haha i completely forgot about Gertie! I hope her rain of terror has ended for @logar and his feet
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I havent gotten hurt in over a month! I did get close to getting a 4 inch thorn in my hand but I managed to get out of it unscathed
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So you’re saying that Gertie is still a resident of your house? 
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I’m not superstitious and don’t really believe in the supernatural…but even I believe that doll is haunted.
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Oh my lord I was so confused on who “Gertie” was.
I understand now looool 
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Oh gosh why is she still in your house
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I would never suggest someone start with a gaboon or rhino just because of their mass. It’s tricky to learn to keep one supported properly and they tend to thrash if they don’t feel supported.
The safest way is to start out without keeping any venomous and just working with a mentor. Many people with large collections will take on volunteers to help do the work in trade for training.
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Yeah, makes sense. But then, after becoming super skilled, which one would be better to start with? Only asking cause I love those species.
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Not much difference between them really. You’ll get mixed reviews on how enjoyable they are to keep. I think they’re a PITA and would much rather keep just about any other bitis than those two. A lot of them won’t drink water and end up needing to be soaked all the time. Maybe a fish airstone in the water bowl would help. Never tried it but it works on some lizard species. That would eliminate the need to have to shift it to a soak tub all the time.
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