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Crotalus atrox
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by drdelaron on June 7, 2005
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You can also post your answers.
I have found a young CROTALUS ATROX, and have it in a jar. I'm sure, after the recent research I've done, that this invironment is not good for it (male or female). I was wondering if someone with experience could give a few pointers on handling this very dangerous creature.
Deriq
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RE: Crotalus atrox
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Anonymous post on June 7, 2005
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Well friend, it seems to me that you have little or no experience handling venomous snakes. You may want to do yourself a favor and just release it where you found it. Hate to see you as a stastic.
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RE: Crotalus atrox
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by Dadee on June 7, 2005
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Deriq,
I'm going to err on the side of caution here and agree for once with an anonymous poster. If I were you, I would let it go where you found it. The young ones are very flighty and can be quicker than you, hence you could become a statistic in your local ER, getting a regimen of A/V.
It's better for you and the snake if you just let it go. We take a lot of time to learn about particular species, how they react to various environments, feeding different rodents, etc...it's something that would take some time. If you'd like to learn, it would be best to do it, prior to obtaining a venomous snake. Techniques have been established for quite a vast amout of the venomous snakes of the world and can be found with a little bit of research.
We've all been in your shoes. We all started out collecting bugs and different non-venomous snakes when we were younger. This happens to be something that can't be taken lightly and although I share your enthusiasm, I'd suggest just letting it go. Take some time and learn all you can from these forum threads and come back at it at a later time. We'll be more than happy to help you learn how to properly handle as well as teach husbandry. Wild caught animals can be a threat for your collection, just keep this in mind for the future as you start to collect after you learn.
Let us know how you intend to handle this situation, as I'm sure we'd like to hear where you go from this point.
Cheers,
Matt
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RE: Crotalus atrox
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by drdelaron on June 7, 2005
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Well guys, the snake turns out to be a...
Crotalus cerastes
[URL=http://img29.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc146&image=b23_ccerastesmap.jpg][IMG]http://img29.imagevenue.com/loc146/th_b23_ccerastesmap.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img21.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc3&image=4fa_cclaterorepens.jpg][IMG]http://img21.imagevenue.com/loc3/th_4fa_cclaterorepens.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img19.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc159&image=5a3_cercobombus3.jpg][IMG]http://img19.imagevenue.com/loc159/th_5a3_cercobombus3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img21.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc244&image=d7a_sidewinder.jpg][IMG]http://img21.imagevenue.com/loc244/th_d7a_sidewinder.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
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RE: Crotalus atrox
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by drdelaron on June 7, 2005
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Hi, me again. I was not able to take the snake from la to Palm Springs, about 300 mile, today. So, what I did was gathered some dirt and placed the snake in a nice dark area, contained, and will let it rest. As I was putting in the dirt it seemed to calm and the rattling finally stopped. Do you thing I should feed it?.
Deriq
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RE: Crotalus atrox
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by Dadee on June 8, 2005
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Well Deriq, if this is indeed C.Cerastes, I'm going to default to my original comment. However, I would like to ask, was the location of where you found it, a danger to people? Moving a snake from it's original location more than 500 feet or it may be 500 kilometers, has shown to be fatal for the snake more times than not.
I hope someone chimes in here on my quote of the distance.
The best thing to do is to return it to its original location. It is born with a sense of where its den is...probably not one it's visited before if it's a yearling...but one its mother most certainly has. It can recall this information and makes it way back to that den, as long as it's within (snake) traveling distance.
Deciding to keep this snake, is what you intend to do at this point...right? If that's the case, a jar is not a good place for it. A SECURABLE enclosure is what's needed. When I say securable, I don't mean something with a screen top that has a brick on each corner, but something that can be locked with a few padlocks at the openings (if lengthy top, the corners of the opening), or if in a display type of case, something that would prevent the glass doors from being able to slide open.
This snake is small and will stay small, which can be a risk when trying to get it to "ride a hook". It's definitely not a species for "tailing" either. The good thing about this particular species is a bite is rarely fatal, however, this is something of a debate. I don't want to stress this, but it's something you should know. I'm not saying that if YOU got bit, you would live. You could have a severe reaction to the venom and your body could go into anaphylactic shock, which left untreated would kill you. If bitten, you will experience severe swelling, hemorrhagic blebs and a host of other nasties.
How old are you Deriq? I ask this because it will tell us, how to phrase the particulars that you need to know regarding this snake. Any venomous snake should be treated just as you would/SHOULD a gun...it's deadly and can kill someone. This can not be over emphasized to you at this point. Safety should be the most important thing on your list when dealing with venomous creatures. It’s not something to have your friends come over and “check this out” or watch. We all know the inherent risks that are associated with our hobby or profession for some. When you captured this venomous snake you’ve increased everyone around you and your risk factor by 10 fold. Now it’s up to you with how much risk you can responsibly handle.
Bear in mind, should this snake get loose, you’re at risk of a bite, so might your sister or roommate (depending on age) or even a live in girlfriend, etc. etc... What will you do then? These are things we all think of with these creatures we keep, it’s not a matter of if, but when. I just want you to look at the bigger picture with your decision to keep this snake.
I also haven’t asked you, where do you live? Do you know your laws concerning these venomous snakes? In LA they probably have some local ordinances against something like this. I’ve re-read your statements and it looks like you were trying to say that you found the snake in Palm Springs. If that’s the case and you want to return it there, I’d hold off on the feeding. When you return it, it will feed on its natural diet of local fauna.
Good luck if you do keep it. Let us know.
Cheers,
Matt
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RE: Crotalus atrox
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by drdelaron on June 8, 2005
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My age is 38, I am totally aware of the dangers but am overwhelmed to help this creature that has been kept in a jar. It's a shame that they moved. I want to feed this animal. You say don't but my heart says yes. You know how hearts are? I am just concerned for its wellbeing.
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