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venomous reps
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by marty on January 2, 2004
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i am interested in keeping a gaboon viper but i have heard alot of ads saying that its not for everybody i think i am ready and responsible enough to keep one i have handled tne local venomous snakes no prob. i dont want to be one of the ones that experianced handlers look down on.
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RE: venomous reps
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Anonymous post on January 2, 2004
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Gabbys are a great snake to keep. I find them very easy to be with. But they are also one of the fastest striking snakes there are. I think you would do fine with one. P.S. I know this will start it going. LOL
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RE: venomous reps
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by LarryDFishel on January 2, 2004
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As far as handling, I agree that they are pretty easy to handle safely. When they get really big, they can be physically demanding to lift with hooks which makes it easy to injure the snake, but not necessarily more dangerous for the keeper (unless you do something dumb to make things easier on yourself). My biggest concern with a newer keeper having a gaboon is just the fact that 99% of the time they are so docile that it's easy to get complacent and forget about that other 1% when they are the fastest thing you ever saw...or should I say never saw, because my eyes aren't fast enough to follow a gaboon strike. NEVER, EVER get within striking range and you are safe, forget that and BAD THINGS can happen. I have also heard that some can be fussy eaters but so far I haven't seen one (but I've only cared for 4 so far).
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RE: venomous reps
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by TomT on January 3, 2004
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One thing, too, to remember about Gaboon vipers, and Rhinoceros vipers in that they generally (I Like that word) do not strike forward like a rattlesnake, but off to the side more like an alligator.... or even behind themselves.
Remember what they're designed to do. They lay motionless for prolonged periods of time along game trails and ambush prey. They don't hunt in the conventional way we think of when discussing snakes. They bury themselves into loose leaves or mud and wait. When the moment comes for them to eat, they strike with almost invisible speed, and they almost always hold the prey until it is dead (doesn't take long) and then they use those incredibly long fangs to "walk" food into their mouths... kind of like chop sticks...
Another consideration, or at least it has been my experience with Gaboon vipers, is that they do not seem to be "programmed" to drink from a water bowl I had to soak mine and dunk (gently) their heads in the water to get them to drink enough. Apparently the raiesd rostral scales ("horns" if you will) are useful for directing rain water toward the mouth of these snakes, and they don't generally have to search out water as a result of the large quantities of rainfall in their habitat.... so they aren't conditioned to drinking any other way... I have heard of lots of deaths over the years that I directly attribute to dehydration, due to the lack of this tiny little piece of information on a new keeper's part...
As Larry said, these snakes handle well until they get upset, at which time you had better be prepared for the snake from hell routine.... they're powerful, fast, and they can be difficult to deal with when they're upset.... best to buy captive bred animals and to get them small so you get gain experience with them as they grow... and last but not least: NEVER EVER TRUST them. They are, afterall, snakes.
Tom T
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RE: venomous reps
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by lanceheadxstatic on June 17, 2004
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Just be carefull they have the largest fangs of any snake. 2 inchs long!!!!!! wow it would hurt to get bit. Ive heard storys of people stepping on them and them still not striking. As long as you watch what your doing you should be alright. Luv them snakes!!! but they dont love you back.
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