Keeping venomous snakes as exotic pets creates welfare risks for both the animals and their owners and raises regulatory questions.
Venomous snakes in captivity face welfare challenges from thermal management, humidity requirements, appropriate enclosure size, and the stress of handling. Most owners underestimate the complexity of their needs and the animals suffer from inadequate care. Beyond individual welfare, the exotic venomous snake trade disrupts wild populations of ecologically important species and creates public safety risks. Licensing, training requirements, and welfare standards are appropriate regulatory responses.