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Puff Adder Question.
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by ginny on October 27, 2006
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Ok guys some of you may know I've been keeping venomous snakes since March this year and I'm learning all the time but things are about to get very, very serious! I have a 3 year old Crotalus molossus which I am swapping for a 3 foot female Puff Adder and i was wondering what specific advice anyone can give me concerning captive care. She will be housed in a 90cm x60cm x 50 enclosure and I'm not too sure about cage furniture. Kept too a minimum? what about hides? Temperment I know a little, any anecdotes? Looking forward to her, I think they are the most attractive cryptic vipers. Regards, Mark.
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by Rob_Carmichael on October 27, 2006
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Sorry to hear you are trading a C. molossus for a puff...that's one of my favorite rattlers and I can't imagine why anyone would trade one for a puff. BUT, since you are, puffs are relative easy to maintain and are very hardy in captivity. Also realize, they have one of the fastest strikes and oftentimes "strike first and ask questions later"; you cannot let your guard for one millisecond with these creatures. Our puffs do not liked to be touched in any way. Although we do use a double hook when lifting them, they can pull a fast one at any given moment. We keep our puffs in fairly simple set ups: Deep dry, sand/soil layer with some dead leaves sprinkled on the surface, a large water bowl, and, a large piece of a dead limb of a tree (we angle it in a manner where the snake can hide behind it but still be exposed for the public to see). We provide full spectrum lighting and the heat is provided by a Pro Product Radiant Heat panel connected to a thermostat. Day temps range from the low 70's to the low 80's with a basking area that reaches 90-92 deg F. Night temps drop gradually and can reach 72-74 deg F. We only feed our adult puffs 1x to 2x a month and keep a close eye on weight.
Hope this helps.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center (or, as you folks over there say "Centre"!)
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by ginny on October 27, 2006
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I have three rattlers; a juvenile Crotalus vegrandis, a juvenile Crotalus atrox and the Crotalus molossus. I want to keep a small collection and show as much diversity as possible so three rattlers is a bit much. One had to go and the Black-tail is my least favourite but it was a hard desision to make. I wanted something a bit different and as i specialize in vipers an African species sounded like a good idea. I actually wanted a Bitis atropos but as i live in the uk the availability of species is somewhat limited. Besides the guy with the Puff wanted a Black- Tail so there you go! Thanks for the advice, Mark.
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by hoyta on October 27, 2006
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black tails are absolutely gorgeous! one of the prettiest, and most under-rated of them all! as for value wise- you aren't getting the better end of the deal. puffs go for 50.00 regularly...
just my 2 cents
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by emtnurse on October 28, 2006
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Puff Adders, are pretty nasty snakes but amazing to watch. Its the way they lower and angle that head before they strike. But honestly, this is the only viper I have that will actually throw himself off the hook by striking at me. Just a thought for you since you havent been keeping that long. I would stay with the rattlesnake. Bryan
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by Viperlady on October 28, 2006
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Bitis arietans is one of my favorites. I own a 5 year old male.
You've certainly received very good advice, but one thing that I've done for the well being of my Bitis is the following: Since he got quite large and heavy, I noticed his discomfort when handled with normal hooks, so I made myself a hook from a wide (about 8 cm.), strong and flat aluminum bar. I basically polished the sharp edges of it as well as the tip to make it thin enough to go under him to be lifted, and had it bent at a workshop to an adequate shape, then adapted it to a steel pole. I also use a handling glove and since mine is quite peaceful, I haven't had trouble with him yet.
I'd also adcvice you not to use sandy or very finely broken stones or bark substrate, because they normally swallow this kind of substrate when being fed.
I keep mine with paperbag substrate, a water bowl, heating mat and a couple caves made out of high temperature ceramic clay. I'm an artist too, so I have a friend who's a ceramist and builds theese nice caves for my pets.
Good luck with your new pet!!
And let me invite you to see my photo galleries
www.hasawanetworks.com/Viperinae-crotalinae.jpg
www.hasawanetworks.com/Crotalus-gallery-2006.jpg
www.hasawanetworks.com/Elapidae-heloderma.jpg
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by GREGLONGHURST on October 28, 2006
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Viperlady brings up two excellent points. The wide bodied hook is a must for big Bitis. Ribs are very easily broken with a standard hook. Rob's substrate is great for display, but paper bag or newsprint is much easier. One easily made hide I have found is to cut a short piece of appropriate diameter pvc pipe in half lengthwise, giving you two easily cleaned hides. They can be painted easily as well.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Puff Adder Question.
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by Rob_Carmichael on October 30, 2006
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I do agree with Viperlady in that if you are going to keep this snake in a manner where aesthetics is not a major concern, just keep the snake on a thick layer of aged newspaper or something similar....it reduces the chance for ingestion of particular matter. We keep our puff on a deep layer of sand/gravel because it's on public exhibit. During feeding time, we place a large piece of newspaper over the substrate and feed the snake on that; we've never had an impaction problem. Using two large, flat hooks is a great idea for moving large Bitis around. Our big 5 1/2 foot puff hates to be moved so we use a shift box to guide the snake out of the cage and into a lock shift box - she likes this much better than trying to move her via hooks.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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