Is keeping a venomoid snake ethically responsible?
Discussions on the various Kingsnake forums typically collapse into a flame marathon every-time the issue of venomoid snakes is raised. The main reason for this is that many people have very polarized opinions on the subject … they are either very much in favour of keeping venomoids, or are abhorently opposed to it. For those who disagree with the keeping of venomoids, and/or venomoid surgery, generally believe that it is ethically wrong to surgically alter an animal for non-veterinary reasons, and that venomous snakes should be just that … venomous snakes. These views parallel those of people in the broader community who are opposed to de-scenting ferrets and skunks, or the cutting of ears and tails in certain dog breeds. Naturally at the other end of the spectrum are those people who believe that they are perfectly entitled to modify their animals in anyway whatsoever, and that this is one of their inalienable rights. In between we have many people whose views are a mixture of th
