In his own interest and in the interest of others it must be understood for any responsible keeper of poisonous snakes that certain security measures and precautions must be taken. This definitely includes accommodation for the snakes which is secure against breaking out and breaking in. The room containing the terrariums must be locked and should never be freely accessible. Any additional locked door minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and reminds the keeper of the caution called for when approaching the snakes. For very active vipers it is advisable to also lock the terrariums themselves, as these snakes very often tend to explore their environment thoroughly and might be able to open the panes with their heads and bodies.

Each terrarium must be equipped with a label which can be removed in case of emergency and which states and describes which species, type, etc. is being kept inside. This information can be life saving! A notice with first aid measures stating what to do in case of a snake bite and with the phone numbers of the doctor on call and the nearest emergency poison centre should be put up to a freely visible spot.

It is advisable to have a certain, not too small amount of the respective antidotes in the house. Furthermore each snake keeper should know where to obtain more and larger quantities to be called upon in case of emergency. My personal First Aid set is stored in the terrarium room itself and contains a blood congestion tape, a freeze spray, a roll of cling film and the telephone. Today all German federal states with the exception of Nordrhein-Westfalen and Niedersachsen have decrees about the keeping of dangerous animals which of course include all poisonous snakes and which anybody should be familiar with if he is interested in getting a viper. Switzerland has the strictest regulations from my point of view. Let yourself be guided by this decree and you will be on the safe side. The complete text of the Swiss decree is as follows:
 

Decree about the Keeping of Dangerous Animals

The Government Council of the canton Basel-Landschaft, supported by § 74, section 2 of the constitution of the canton Basel-Landschaft of May 17th, 1984, decrees:

§ 1 Applied Range

1.Animals are classified as dangerous if they can be a serious threat to life or health of humans.

2.This includes among others:
a)Mammals like predator cats, bears, wolves and apes;
b)Reptiles like alligators, poison snakes, warans;
c)Snakes which will grow to a length of more than 3 m with the exception of Boa Constrictor;
d)Other poisonous animals like scorpions and spiders;
e)Fish like Steinfisch, Rotfeuerfisch, Skorpionfisch, Stachelrochen and Piranha as far as kept in places accessable to the public.

§ 2 Permission and Transfer

1.Keeping and commercial trade as well as exhibitions with dangerous animals are subject to special permission.

2.The permission is given by the canton veterinarian.

3.It is only allowed to pass on dangerous animals (as presents, by selling, for rent, etc.) if a permission according to these regulations has been given.


§ 3 Conditions for a Permission

The permission to keep or exhibit dangerous animals will be granted if

a)The animals are kept according to the regulations of the Animal Protection Law;

b)The pens and cages are secured against breaking out and any unauthorized person can neither free the animals nor have access to the cages;

c)Third persons will not be harmed;

d)There is sufficient knowledge about the keeping the respective species and their care;

e)If kept in rented flats the owner has given his permission for the keeping;

f)A policy for third party liability insurance with a liability sum of a minimum of 1,000,000 Swiss Franks has been taken out;

g)The specifications of the species with its Latin name, number and location have been submitted;

h)Antidotes according to § 7 are available and in stock;

i)For exhibitions the requirements according to letter a to h have been met one month before the exhibition.


§ 4 Permissions

1.Limited permissions will be issued to private persons who keep dangerous animals for themselves or for exhibitions. These will be issued for the specific animals and have to be renewed every 2 years.

2.Unlimited permissions can be given to companies keeping dangerous animals and which concern themselves especially with the production and processing of animal poisons, to scientific institutes like universities, to zoos etc. and to animal dealers if their enterprises are managed by expert staff. The permission will be issued in the name of the person responsible for keeping the animals.

3.The canton veterinarian can order that depending on the kept animal species, the neighbours and residents will be informed.


§ 5 Refusal and Revocation of Permissions

1.Permissions will not be given to persons under age or to persons where it can be assumed that they could endanger themselves or third persons by the keeping of dangerous animals.

2.The keeping of poisonous animals with an unknown effect of the poison on humans or for whose poison an effective antidote is not obtainable can be prohibited.

3.Permissions for the keeping of dangerous animals can be revoked by the canton veterinarian on the grounds of gross offence or disregard of the regulations of this decree.


§ 6 Inspection

1.The cages and pens are subordinate to the inspection by the canton veterinarian. Regarding special species he/she can consult competent experts.

2.They will be inspected every 2 years.

3.Persons with a permission for the keeping of dangerous animals or those who have submitted an application for the permission, have to grant the inspectors access to the cages and pens of the animals and have to answer questions about their keeping.


§ 7 Keeper Duties

1.The keepers

a)Take all precautions against any breaking out of the animals;

b)Take care that cages and pens can be locked;

c)Keep a stock and population list stating origin, new location after transfer and death date of the dangerous animals;

d)Keep specific antidotes, as far as obtainable, in stock in sufficient amounts and labelled with the instructions for use and store them according to the manufacturer’s information;

e)Renew the stock of antidotes after their expiration date;

f)Show the antidotes to the inspectors if asked to do so;

g)Obtain the antidotes or show proof of having a suitable stock together with other keepers in an appropriate place which can be reached in a sufficiently short time;

2.All keepers of dangerous animals and persons responsible for their care must have a written instruction about how to react in case of a bite. This instruction has to be submitted to the doctor dealing with the injury.

3.It is forbidden to let any of the dangerous animals run free, even when guarded.

4.The permitting authority must be notified in case of changes of the place of residence or keeping.


§ 8 Escape of Dangerous Animals

1.In case of an escape of dangerous animals the police of Basel-Landschaft have to be informed immediately. These will notify the canton veterinarian.

2.The keeper has to do everything to capture or help to catch the escaped animals.

3.The canton veterinarian can demand the assistance of the police of Basel-Landschaft.


§ 9 Abrogation of the Previous Regulations

The government council decree of June 27th, 1972, about the keeping of wild animals will hereby be abrogated.


§ 10 Coming into Force

This decree became effective on January 1st, 1998.