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first hot.
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by Fantazle on December 11, 2006
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Hey all I am new to having a venomous snake as a "pet" and recently (under the advice of an experienced handler) aquired a bamboo pit viper as it was suggested for a first time "hot". I havent picked him up (not literally and don't plan to) yet as i'm waiting for a special cage i have ordered to arrive.
Any special tips that you may have would be most welcomed. like was this a bad suggestion for a first timer, or special things i need to do to care for it that may not be in my book. At least i have a source nearby i can contact but all information is smiled upon ( i do have a number to get anti-venom incase of operator error).
My goal is for preservation, education, and advocation, not to make the news, give a bad name to responsible owners (this is most important!), and get nominated for a darwin award.
Thank you for your time.
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RE: first hot.
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by Cro on December 11, 2006
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Darrin, it is good that you asked the advise of an experineced venomous snake keeper who lives near you and can instruct you.
Wild caught Bamboo Vipers often have a lot of parasites. Captive born animals are less likely to have this problem.
Older snakes that are established feeders do fairly well in captivity, but new-born ones are sometimes difficult feeders.
They can strike suprisingly far, so you need to offer food to this snake with forceps, or tongs, or extra long tweezers.
Keep the snake warm and humid, and have a lot of climbing and hiding places in the cage for him.
Since this is a non-native snake, obtaining antivenom in case of a bite could take some time. You mention that you have a source though for antivenom. If this is the case, then a Bamboo Viper would be a good bet for a first time venomous snake.
Best Regards JohnZ
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T. albolabris tips
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by Nephron on December 11, 2006
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With all arboreals, be sure you have two hooks! They'll crawl right up the one you have them on, which is pretty disconcerting if you're not prepared for it.
Also, arboreal vipers will sometimes not drink from standing water. albolabris generally will, but you'll need to install the water bowl up in the branches; they won't go down to the ground.
Still watch carefully for dehydration or signs that they're drinking; you may have to drip water on their heads and/or soak them to get them to drink.
(This is instinctive because, in a rain forest, the safest water to drink is rainfall; standing water tends to be bad for you.)
Tubing vipers with short broad heads is tricky because they can turn around and get stuck. The semi-rigid clear tubes (like Midwest sells) are best because you can cut them open in an emergency.
There's a good article on general tree viper husbandry at http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/17
As Cro said, assume all newly arrived snakes have internal parasites until proven otherwise. Arboreals have some obvious self-infection advantages, but it's still one of the most common undiagnosed cuases of anorexia. When you find a particularly fresh poop, take it to any vet clinic. A plastic bag and a few drops of water will help keep it moist until morning; refrigeration also helps. A fecal exam is generally $15-20. A dog and cat vet won't know the species of parasite, but can generally tell you what will kill it, be it fenbendazole, metronidazole, praziquantel, sulfadimethoxine, or what have you.
And remember, a tree viper's strike range is the length of its body, minus the circumference of the branch it's holding onto with its tail!
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RE: T. albolabris tips
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by YoungHerp1 on December 11, 2006
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We have the same B-day. :) but my first hot was a w. massasauga rattlesnake then white lips and a popes. Good luck
Mike
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RE: T. albolabris tips
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by rabbitsmcgatess on December 11, 2006
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Hey Mike! (what a great name....)
Massasaugas are Endangered in Indiana! But I know where some are that are hundreds of miles away from where the State knows they are! Whodathunkit?
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RE: first hot.
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by Fantazle on December 13, 2006
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Thanks all for your help and input. I feel that covering all the bases is the safest and only way to go.
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