Cotton mouth

It's okay zane I feel for you =( nice capture bro.

More power to ya.It is your ass on the line.This hobby will never totally end.I cant say I have never free handled a hot.It is not a good idea but if the only one you endanger is your self than fk it. Be careful! happy herping!

Awww, everyone that is complaining its ok because I am here now you can all have a cry on my shoulder. Quite frankly I think you americans totally over estimate your venomous snakes. If he gets bitten yes he'll have a nice wound in his hand where the venom eats away the flesh. But he will most likely not die unless he is stupid enough not to have first aid at hand. So if there is no death from snake there is no problem. Bikes havent been banned yet have they for breaking peoples wrists.
I commend you for exploring new territory with herps. People like you that dont listen to the rest us achieve something, The rest stay behind. There is no reward without risk

I know this is an old thread...but someone brought it up on the BOI so I thought I would put in my two cents.

I have never had hots..nor any experience with them other than observing them in the wild.

From what I have seen...and heard cottonmouths can be very calm...or very VERY nasty...nasty usually prevailing. They strike to strike.
While I don't condone freehandlng hots (tailing and pinning done by someone with experience is still dangerous)especially this blatently, I give credit for having balls. Of Steel.
And if all you people are going to tell him he is stupid...so be it...but unless you know this guy...or are extremely concerned about his welfare...don't get so crazy.

He is freehandling a WC Cottonmouth...they aren't going to take your hots away because some guy picked up a wild snake and got bit...and cottonmouths are less lethal than most North American snakes, depending on the envenomation. Would he get hurt. Definitely...would he lose his hand/fingers...quite possibly...but he wants to run that risk...and thats fine with me...I will be glad to watch from the safety of my computer.


And to whomever brought up Bill Haast being bitten over 100 times and having the most knowledge, he probably is one of the most knowledgable people in the world regarding venomous snakes...and has the most experience...but when you handle venomous snakes all day...every day...for decades...regardless of your handling practices you are going to get bitten eventually. Play with fire you're bound to get burned.
Haast also took venom dosages on a regular basis for many MANY years to build up a venom immunity.

I really like your photo's I want to ask about the tanks, And the pond,,,,IE do you live in florida and did you set all this up yourself,,,,I want to have a set-up like this,,,,DES,,,,

Beautiful pics I can just see it now 3bdroom 2 bath ranch, backs up to swamp with gators and snakes...VERY HIP...Please write me back,,,,How much do the tanks cost and where did they come from ....DES,,,,

Des, I do currently live in Fl but only while I do school. The pics and enclosures are back home. I left my animals in the care of my uncle.

The pond was 20 x 20, or something like that, however due to my move, I decided to fill in the pond and place the animals on the ranch with the rest of my stuff, as well as the stock tanks, which came from fellow farmers at the low price of free. They had holes so they weren't very suitable for holding water, 'tis why I filled them with dirt and placed terrestrials within them. Cheaper I thought since I already had the tanks. The 300g rubbermaids I got obtained from Sutherlands. You can also get them from Tractor supply or online.

Zane