by Snakes4Africa » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:54 am
Just my 2c worth: None of the victims in these pictures thought they were idiots. Some were accidental bites (ie non-snake handlers) others were incidental (snake handlers). The end result is the same. Serious, life-changing injuries. The handlers may or may not have been experienced enough to handle venomous snakes, that is not our place to decide. Genuine accidents happen when you are dealing with animals as they have a brain of their own and are thus unpredictable. Experienced handlers can have bad day, or even just a bad moment that can result in bite. I wouldn't say that every person who suffers a bite is an idiot or irresponsible but keeping or working with venomous snakes definitely increases your chances of being bitten by one. If it is only you who gets bitten that is bad enough, but if someone else gets bitten because of you, that is a tragedy.
In my opinion, a venomous collection (even if only one snake) should be kept in a locked room, preferably with a double door and the last door be clear so you can see the snake if it is out. Yes, your 2year old will probably die if bitten by a venomous exotic. So would your neighbours child if he was bitten. Lets not allow this happen and start doing it the right way before its too late. One dead "innocent" is all it will take for a national clamp-down on snake keeping, much like what is happening in the States now.
Those who have made no mistakes have learned nothing and can teach nothing.
The same is true of those who continue to make the same mistakes.
Pain is temporary