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Gabby or Rhino?
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by grimmjohn on March 5, 2004
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Hey everyone, sorry if this passes for spam, but I'm trying to decide between everyone's favorite Bitis. I can't decide which one is more beautiful so I'm considering other differences. I want to keep the snake in more than a glass fronted crate or an aquarium and have a nice setup. I'm attracted to the sedentary nature of these snakes, I wouldn't want to mess with a cobra/mamba.., and since I hear that rhinos can be more arboreal thats a strike against them. Also rhinos are more water orientated, so whould a nice setup require a more aqueous enclosure? Also many water snakes have musk, or just a generally different smell; is this a characteristic of rhinos?
I guess I just need someone to tell me that even though I may think the rhino is just a little prettier, getting a gabby would be more comfortable for the snake and I
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RE: Gabby or Rhino?
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by surucucu on March 5, 2004
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You probably already know this. Don't underestimate the speed of either of them. mine won't move for days, weeks sometimes. but when they do it is as fast as lightning. my rattlesnake's strike speed dosen't even compare to my Bitis. There is not a chance that I would be able to get out of the way. Another thing. I can always tell my rattlesnake "mood" by thier posture, movement, or any number of things. The Bitis will sometimes Puff, making a hissing sound SOMETIMES. other than that,it won't move until it strikes. Rule of thumb, I always treat them as if they are always pissed. I never put my body in harms way. Better to be safe than cocky or sorry. I didn't mean to harp or treat you like a child, just want you to stay safe. I'm sorry I went on and still didn't answer you question. as for the smell, I don't notice any. take care
chris
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RE: Gabby or Rhino?
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by grimmjohn on March 5, 2004
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Thanks for the advice, no offence taken. But I am VERY cuatious and meticulous, and if things go my way my hands will never go near them (shift boxes, hooks, hemostats) unless they need somesort of miraculous intervention in the way of medical care. This won't be my first hot, but it will be my first non-native. And one of my fiends has had gabbys, but he said they freaked him out...immobile for a week at a time and then just striking out of nowhere...he'd rather just keep his mambas and cobras...but I'm the opposite...I'm a look-don't touch kinda guy, so their unpredictable nature doesn't affect me (well it will keep me honest), while their immobility is a plus.
Thanks for taking the time to reply Chris, and people in our hobby can never hear words of cuation and advice enough.
John
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RE: Gabby or Rhino?
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by Phobos on March 6, 2004
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Hi:
It's good to see you recognize that some hot snakes may no be worth to risk to include them in your collection, ie: mambas
I collect Bitis also. It's really a tough question you ask since each animal will have some personality that modifies the general overall behaivior of the species. My Puff is almost pissed all of the time, so no question I stay out her way. The Gabby is generally quiet during the day but she is really foul at night. The Rhino is very quiet all of the time and is difficult to get huffing & puffing. He is easier to handle and care for than the other Bitis. He rides the stick to the bath tub for a swim no problem. They all seem to have no odor to speak of..I think the front end is enough of a deterant. They are the fastest strikers I have seen to date, so beware. They can strike in any direction even in ways you can't believe.
Did you read the care & keeping of gabbys article on the home page of this site. A good place to start.
In general, the gabby has the more dangerious venom or the common Bitis because of the Cardio-toxic component that may cause lasting damage. All will put you in a serious world of hurt. Well thats my two cents on the topic. It's really a hard call.
Good Luck,
Al
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RE: Gabby or Rhino?
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by grimmjohn on March 7, 2004
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Thanks for the input. And yes, I've have without a doubt read everything on the internet and in the university library about these snakes. The kingsnake venomous/Viper forum had lots of useful stuff and beautiful pictures as well...
http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?expand=1&page=2&catid=87
But I think I've decided to go with the rhino becuase of size, temperment, and coloration (I like the black). Thank You all for sharing your expertise.
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RE: Gabby or Rhino?
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by grimmjohn on March 8, 2004
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Well, there's three or four that are good for Gaboons, but I'm not aware af any for Rhinos..several sources say that the gaboon antivenoms, such as the South African and the Suadi and the Indian polyvalents MAY work on Rhinos...
The local zoo does have several HUGE gaboons and do stock the antivenom...
But honestly, I assume that if I get bitten by a venomous snake then I am going to die (I never think, "oh just a pygmy," or "oh just a copperhead)...just as I assume that if a gun gets put to my head (loaded, unloaded, my hand, or someone else)then I am going to die, and I have several guns, and they have never been pointed toward my person, and I go to lengths to assure that no gun ever will, just as I have many venomous snakes, and they have never been closer to my hands or person than jumbo snake tongs and extra long forceps will allow them without glass or something between us. Which is why in my several years of serious herping I have never had a snake strike come even close. Lid comes up, tong to the head, tong to the tail. I am also a siftbox zealot, snake goes in, slide the door closed, work on the main cage, slide it back open (with tongs). I have managed to keep many snakes happy and healthy (Well one copperhead death, but it taught me to never use wood chips as bedding, and always watch your snakes eat) for many years in this manner. The day I want to get my picture taken with them or have to tail one is the day I get rid of them all and get a garter snake. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And while my attitude doesn't make for photo ops, or interesting outtings, or ammuse many of my friends (did I mention my cages are padlocked to big heavy stands, and the lids are padlocked as well), and I'll never be the big dog at the herp expos or meetings, but I'm gonna live a long hospital free life God willing and the creek don't rise, and thats more than I can say for many fellow enthusiasts (not to offend, just that many people who are less cuatious than I seem to end up with some necrosis, many people more cuatious than I unfortunatly do too)
So uhmm right...thank you for your concern but uhm...like I said, thats how I feel about that...stupid as some may see it..I know I rambled and I apologize.
John
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RE: Gabby or Rhino?
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by Kristen on March 9, 2004
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Your local zoo stocks antisera for its keepers. But they would never allow a person to die without treating them. SAIMAR poly. does work on rhinos. if you are going to keep one buy the antisera. Handling and safety is a must but accidents do occur.
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