What care does a rattlesnake require?

The primary care requirement for a rattlesnake is a knowledgeable and fastidious caretaker. Or the caretaker will end up getting bitten and may die. Be smart about this one. Does your local emergency room have anti-venom for the species you might keep and an ER physician down with snake bite care? This snake is a "hot" snake in every sense of the Word.

Some communities forbid keeping these critters without a permit and training. (Please, please, please, check local and state laws before taking off with this.) Anyone living nearby (particularly in the same house!) can become a victim of snakebite if things get even a little bit out of shape. Word.

A link is provided to some possible sources of information. Do a google search and get read up seriously on these guys. They play hard ball. And they don't take prisoners. Again, be smart about this one. May the luck of the Seven Pillars of Ooloo be with you at all times.

Note: It is a know fact that anyone who is interested in a particular line of investigation will go the distance to get information on the chosen topic. Wherever it leads. Whatever it takes. Wouldn't you if you were interested in something? Mmhmm. Thought so. The information asked for is being supplied here with the idea that the individual making the inquiry will also get as many warnings as is possible to cause that person to fully think through the ideas and make the best choices. The informed person is advantageously equipped to safely approach a situation. Particularly one like this where there is a real possibility that someone could end up being killed if all precautions are not observed all the time. (And it may be the snake keeper, or it may be a family member or a friend.) Get fully up to speed and take no shortcuts whatsoever.

In case you missed it, crotalus can deliver a fatal bite. Got it? One mistake is all it takes to get your card pulled. You been warned, ait?

EDIT: I just wanted to ask, why in the world would you want a pet you can't handle freely? The point of a pet is interaction. If you want something that's a bit more rare, just get something like a mandarin ratsnake or a sunbeam snake (believe it or not there are breeders of these guys).