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Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by biff on January 15, 2002
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Excellent article. I noticed you stated that you feed live rats...wow!! Seems like that may endanger the snake! I would imagine a rat bite could be really nasty?? Especially if it took out an eye. I was curious as to your rationale for feeding live? I know that there are others who feed live, but I know that accidents have happened.
Thanks,
Steve
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RE: Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by DexterB on January 25, 2002
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Hi Biff,
Sorry for the late reply, but here goes.....
I feed my Gaboons live rats, as well as defrosted ones. I believe that if you feed live from time to time, the snake keeps his sharpness and is enticed into more active behavior.( as far as it goes with Gaboons)
I state in my article, that they close in on their prey and this is really true.
Let me clarify this: Since the rats keep on scurrying through the enclosure the snakes will become aware of this. After a while they are actually moving slowly but steadily, towards the place where the rats are, which is in the vicinity of the 60 Watt floodlight about 10 ft from where they are.
After they have eaten, the Gaboons make their way back to the spot where they usually are, which is another 10 ft. across back to the cooler side of the enclosure.
Along the way they pass the drinking bowl and have a drink of water.
All in all, I think that this makes for some good exercise for my Gaboons and that is why I feed live rats from time to time.(1:2 ratio)
And until now, there hasn't been a single rat who was quick enough to inflict a bite on a Gaboon. It was always the other way around.:-))
(I also sit and watch as long as it takes for them to feed and never leave them unattended while they are eating, just to be on the safe side.)
Hope this answers your question!
grtz,
Dex.
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Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by vette on January 25, 2002
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Just out of curiosity, I was wondering if there is any truth to a story I heard from another keeper. He stated that gabbys can bite through a pair of motorcycle boots. I have seen the long fangs they have and have heard such stories before but I thought I woudl ask an expert.
Thanks
Vette
By the way I want to compliment you on an excellent article
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RE: Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by DexterB on January 26, 2002
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Hi Vette,
I've never actually tested it with one of my Gaboons, but I suppose there is some truth in the story.
Gaboons tend to attack their live prey with a lot of force (I mean A LOT of force!) and after they have struck, will not let go of the prey animal which is desperately trying to get away for a good 20 to 30 seconds.
After that, the venom starts to kick in and do its work and after a minute or two the prey animal is dead and ready to get swallowed.
So, I would imagine that a fullgrown Gaboon probably is capable of penetrating a leather boot.
However, if there's a bikers foot inside the boot, I don't think the Gaboon will be able to hold on to its 'prey' for very long though! :-))
grtz,
Dex.
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RE: Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by BlackSnake7 on February 4, 2002
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How venomous are gaboon vipers? I know they are capable of killing you, but what type of venom is it, and does anybody know the LD50?
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Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by Holmes on February 7, 2002
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While feeding live prey to captive snakes is normally avoided due to potential hazard to the snake, it should be kept in mind that Dexter is using a cage that features 40 square feet of real estate.
Rats are very intelligent and spatially perceptive. Upon release into the cage, they will often explore the perimeter. The defensive reaction of the rat will be directly relative to its perception of its escape options, e.g., the smaller the enclosure the quicker the rat will go into a defensive or aggressive posture.
This behaviour is easily duplicated under controlled circumstances.
Also, remember the ambush tactics employed by Bitis species. The rat will seldom get the opportunity to investigate the "fat slug" lying in the corner without becoming dinner immediately.
I still recommend the use of pre-killed prey for captive reptiles, however, under certain circumstances, live prey is really quite safe. Dexter's enclosure represents such a scenario.
Regards,
~Holmes
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Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by badatrox on February 23, 2002
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re:live food I have 3 cb. W.A.Gaboons at the moment and lost a few in the past, because they were wc.imports and I couldn't keep up with what ever disease they brought with them. I've force feed,medicated and handled them more than I ever wanted to. Once while force feeding a sick Gabby my partner was at the business end and I was holding the snakes body, my buddies hand that was holding the neck & back of the head of the snake and managed to slide a fang out with the force feeding and get poked with a bent fang. those fangs are long as we all know. They can reach past the corner of there mouth when bent. And as we both looked at the blood spot on his finger we both contemplated the value of said finger vs. the value of this beautiful sick snake. Basically my point is I've feed live until I saw one of my captive bred Gabbys take a large hamster head first and hold it in its mouth until the venom had taken its toll. Now if you had a dieing rodent head first in you mouth for 2 min.! Look I love my snakes , But a mouth infection or for any other reason I don't want to get that close if I don't have to. So my new motto is prevention and be prepared to do the maintenance.
P.S. I did enjoy reading your article badatrox
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RE: Keeping Gaboon Vipers
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by nogayakaki on March 25, 2002
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The toxin of the Gaboon adders is potently cytotoxic, but MUCH larger quantities are injected in a single bite. A full bite will result in an early death (mostly due to anaphylactic shock),if not treated promptly with antivenom and treatment against shock.
People who survive the bite usually end up with severe necrosis.
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