Matt Kogler
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Crots.....Here are some of my Crots... And some releases..
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noexcuse4you
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Nice collection! You're missing my favorite, mitchelii.
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Matt Kogler
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I have alot more, but photobucket takes awhile...::lol::.. I am in need of pyhrus and stephensi.. Next year....
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dban
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Dude!
Where do you get the rattlers?! Did you catch them yourself or get them from a breeder? I don't know anybody else around here who takes care of rattle snakes. Are they difficult to take care of? Any info you can give? just curious 
Dan
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Matt Kogler
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I run a reptile rescue down here in OC, and part of that is a free "rattlesnake removal" service I offer residents. During spring , summer & Fall I get a lot of call to remove and relocate. These are animals I have removed and relocated. Some I have kept in my personal collection, but I would not suggest anyone who has not had training or experience attempting to keep Crots. The medical bills for a bite are astronomical, and the pain that goes with a bite (I have had one bite in 24+ yrs) is no joke.
I keep a small collection of natives, ruber, atrox, cerastes (both Sonoran & Mojave) and helleri at the moment. You have to remember Ive worked with hot snakes since I was 13, they were actually my first (oreganus)... I have kept a number of hot species over the years and have learned the hard way that safety comes first. Matt
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dban
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Oh hey Matt!
I've picked up a few things from you in the past. The last one was a green snake and (s)he is doing well and eating well. I'd love to own a baby crot sometime but yea I agree with you man. My only snake so far is that green snake so hahah I got a ways to work up to. Hey, next time I pick something up can I come get a look at the crots? I've never seen any up close and I think they're awesome.
Dan
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DeniseCasey
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Thanks for the photos Matt. I would love to see more. I appreciate your warning for everyone to see. People think its so cool to own one without any thought to care or the dangers.
I do enjoy the pictures because it is something that I find educational and I can enjoy the snake from afar. 
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BugMom
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Yeah, thanks for being so responsible. Unfortunately, some people are more concerned with impressing their friends and sounding cool than they are with the animal's welfare or the safety factor. It's good to hear from a venomous keeper who has his head on straight.
Our local nature center told me that in our area, most rattlesnake bites occur in males between the ages of 18 and 25 who have been drinking. Shows you the mindset! 
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Matt Kogler
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Yup, youngsters + beer + Crot = bite.... I used to free handle a lot when I was younger (early 20's), I had Naja, Bitis, Dendroaspis, Crots, Micrurus and many others.. I shouldnt be here today with some of the stupid pictures I used to take.
I was bitten back during the time I worked at the zoo, someone wanted to look at a baby stephensi and I got distracted... I have never free handled again.
Here is the last picture I ever took free handling... I know some people who do it still, I wont comment on that, but I am absolutely against it now.. This was one of my stephensi breeders, quite tame actually but still stupid.
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Matt Kogler
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Oh yeah, and "DO NOT DO THIS", if you do, your as dumb as I was.. And may not be as lucky...
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