|
1-10 of 10 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
Anonymous post on October 8, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
This question goes out to those who have had both species in captivity:
Which species is more easily to care for? Is it true that the Russels Viper has to be cohearsed to drink water like the Gaboon? Are the Russels a delicate species to work with? Sensitive to changes, ie. food, climate, etc...
How exactely do Puffs fare in captivity? Are they finicky when it comes to feeding? Is it natural for them to go upwards of 3 weeks without eating anything?
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by FLVenom911 on October 8, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I acquired my first Russelli about two months ago. He was CB 04 in Germany. For the two months I have had him, he eats like a hog, drinks regularly by himself, and is quite fiesty. He is housed in a shoe box that is kept room temp from about 75-83 and does great. I have also kept the Bitis arietans under the same conditions and have also done great. I dont have to worry about humidity levels much since im in FL. Even though these guys are housed indoors, the humidity is at least 50%. The russelli is definately the jewel of my collection since they are ever rarely available.
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by Phobos on October 8, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi:
I agree with FLvenom911, Russells vipers are hogs and quite adaptable. A very harty species but very tough to find. They have a very bad temper and leave you no room for error.
My Puff Adder is a "savage" feeder, That will eat anything dead or live in her cage I've tried so far. I don't even have to give it to her on tongs, she will catapillar over to food I leave on the other side of the cage and chow down. She only fasts when opaque. She too has no sense of humor and will chomp you if you screw up, no questions asked. She is a picky drinker though and will drink if I spray her with water and sometimes if I position the water bowl just right; she will dip her head into it for a drink while I'm spraying her.
My Gabby has to be dragged huffing & puffing to the water bowl once a week. I then have to push her head gently into the water. Then she realizes she is thirsty and drinks for a while. The same for my Rhino Viper.
The large Bitis also retain feces for a very long time, a long long time. My Gabby, just tonight took a large "dump" it has only been 10 weeks to the day since she last defecated!!
One final thought; Gabbys,Puffs, Rhinos,& Russels strike in every direction you can think of and then some; without much waring or provacation. For being big heavy snakes they can still strike more than half their length with a great deal of force. Not snakes for beginners.
Al
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by Rabies on October 9, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi FLVenom911
I was just wondering, do you know the natural geographical location of where your Russell's comes from. I have always wanted one of these but some breeders where unable to give the location. Personaly, due to the differences in venom over its range I find this important for bite protocols and suitable antivenom. How much did you pay? if you don't mind saying.Thanks
John
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by AquaHerp on October 9, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I have always found both snakes to be quite good captives. Russles I have dealt with in the past have always drank from the bowl without much problem.
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by FLVenom911 on October 9, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
John,
Mine is Daboia R. Russelli, it is the Pakistani locale. I got him at the Daytona show this past August. Last week at the Orlando reptile show, I talked with Robbie K. of Glades herps and he said he is going to be bringing in quite a few in the next month or so. But knowing the locale of your Russells is one of the main important things because of the AV issue. Say if you have a Sri Lanka locale and you get bit, you need specific AV for that bite. Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken on that though.
Joe
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by Rabies on October 9, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi
I'm not to sure if the Sri Lanka'n antivenom is up and running yet, do you know? Before hand they used the AV from India which nuteralized the affects the venom had on the blood but did not on the nervous system.The sp of Russel's out in Indonesia does not even have antivenom. I have just been reading on BGF web site that the South African AV (SAMIR)is being stopped,they say that approx 600 people will die per year without antivenom from snake bite and the money saved will be used for research in AIDS/HIV which kills a 1000 per day. Its not looking good for you african keepers.Be safe
John
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by Phobos on October 9, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
John:
I just was on BGF's website and found no reference to SAMIR stopping AV production. Where did you see it?
Al
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by BGF on October 9, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
This was in the forums
www.venomdoc.com/forums
specifically the meandering thread
http://www.venomdoc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=973
Basically the long term (or even near term) prospects for the antivenom aren't looking too promising. SA is pretty much decending into a very tidy stuff-up in general.
Cheers
B
|
| |
|
RE: Russels Viper? Puff Adder?
|
Reply
|
|
by Phobos on October 10, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Thanks Bryan:
It's interesting that governments are willing to "write off" a segment of the population just because it's not profitable overall. HIV infection is a very avoidable problem, just don't go exploring unprotected into a different "Kind" of Bush.
I guess I need to stock up or get rid of my African snakes. Maybe switch to German or French suppliers depending on price.
Cheers!
Al
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
