Do you really have snakes? They seem rather boring. At least fish swim around!
Yes. I have two pit vipers. They are legally owned (under California Fish and Game laws) and in certified locking glass geraniums requiring two separate keys to access with all required labeling.
I am also a 'Viper Sitter,' in that I often care for collections of venomous snakes while the owners are on vacation. Most of these private collections are in laboratory settings and the snakes are used for venom collection. It's interestig that snakes seem to be able to sense things about people, in much the same way dogs seem able to sense things about people. I sometimes care for a zebra snake (a banded cobra) at a laboratory and it does not flare it's hood when I am near it. It is extremely calm and will come up to the glass and watch me. It will immediately flare and hiss when others approach it. Who knows???
The West African Gaboon Viper is my personal favorite, but I do not own one.
I had a pet Northern Pacific rattlesnake growing up. People used to scoff when I told them he would come when called, but there is a video currently on You Tube where a wrangler at Texas Reptile Zoo has a rattlesnake named 'Ruddy' who comes when called. Mine was very even tempered. Although not recommended, I free handled him regulary. I would take him out in the pasture and let him roam around, routi ely ferreting out and euthanizing gophers. He lived over 20 years.
Its interesting to watch them. They evaluate every single movement and you can see them working things out. They are highly intelligent creatures.
They are especially interesting when hunting. They employ stealth and concealment. Scientific research has revealed they actually dispense a dose of venom based on the size of their intended prey.
I recently got to see an Iranian Spider-Tailed Viper in person...a once in a lifetime experience. That was an amazing creature.
I am also the neighborhood snake wrangler. I do all the removal and relocation in our area, as we live near the edge of a remote wilderness.