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Mojave green questions
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by Biologist on December 20, 2005
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I have just acquired 2 Mojave green rattlesnakes and I have a couple of questions I was hoping you all could help with. How often should the snakes be fed? How often should the tanks be cleaned? What is the best substrate to keep them on? Any hints/tips that may be helpful in caring for these animals?
Thanks!
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RE: Mojave green questions
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by Frawgg on December 20, 2005
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The questions you are asking are novice based inquiries and I am suspicious as to how much experience you have with venomous snakes. A bite from this species constitutes a high medical emergency and prompt medical attention is a necessity. With that said, I'll proceed and answer your questions since you filled out a profile. Mojaves are resilient animals and don't really need much for them to thrive in captivity. A large cage with a secure lockable lid, a hide box, a heat source, and a water bowl. I noticed you said that you have two of these critters. I would house them seperately for safety's sake. Use newspaper as a substrate. It facilitates the cheapest, quickest, & SAFEST way to clean the cage whenever the snake soils its enclosure. Keep cage props to a minimum. The more clutter you have in the cage, the more danger you encounter while trying to extract the snake out of the cage. I suggest a transfer bin (large trash can w/ a SECURE lid) to temporarily house your snakes while cleaning cages. I use a translucent pet food storage bin I purchased from Wal-Mart. I like this container because it... A.) Has a lid B.)I can see the snake while it's in the bin (I always know where the "business end" is) C.) Costs about $20. Remember, the more often you handle this dangerous serpent, your chances of visiting the ER dramatically increase! How good is your insurance? As for feeding frequency, I don't feed my snakes on a routine schedule. Snakes in the wild are opportunistic eaters. They eat whenever the situation presents itself. I try to simulate this in captivity as well. Just don't over feed and constipate your snakes. Monitoring bowel movements is a good indicator of when you should feed next. Example: I'll feed 1 mouse- wait a week & feed 2 more mice- I won't feed until I have seen a bowel movement. Hope this helps. PLEASE be careful with this species!
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RE: Mojave green questions
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by Snake18 on December 20, 2005
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Hy,
Sorry for the stupid question but what`s bowel movement exactly ? My english isn`t quite perfect lol...
Alex S.
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RE: Mojave green questions
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by MoccasinMan on December 21, 2005
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The venom from these animals is at the top of the toxicity scale for Crotalus. The only N. American snake more toxic is Micrurus fulvius, but it lacks the efficient delivery system. Mojave venom has both hemotoxic and neurotoxic properties. I would discourage, in the strongest terms, all but highly experienced keepers working with this animal. Other nessesary considerations are: Once you are bitten, where is the antivenom going to come from? Can you afford antivenom? Is there experienced medical staff nearby to treat you once you have been bitten? You have taken on an enormous personal and social responsibility. The care, caging and security of these animals should have been considered long before obtaining these potentially lethal animals. Judging from your post you appear to be a novice who has not fully thought out the ramifications of your impulsive decision. If you are envenomated by one of your animals(or God forbid someone else), this is the type of trigger situation than can destroy this hobby/business. Please prove me wrong.
Respectfully and seriously,
Andrew
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RE: Mojave green questions
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by Biologist on December 21, 2005
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As to the last reply and the first, I sent an email to Frawgg regarding his reply.
"You are right, I am asking novice questions, but I want to find the best advice I can. I honestly have no experience with venomous snakes but as the person who took care of the snakes where I work no longer will care for them, I was put in charge (mostly because I am willing to learn). I do understand the severity of the species as I brief people where I work on the animals and how to react to bites (I work as a biologist in the desert and these snakes are encountered quite frequently). The snakes are housed in large (I do not know the exact tank specs, but they are much larger than my tanks at home) tanks, with desert substrate, a water dish, and a rock to go under. I believe they have been housed here for many years. We have additional cleaning tanks to put the snakes in during cleaning (which I did yesterday). One of the snakes did just have a bowel movement, so I thank you on that advice and will feed him (it) soon. Is there any preference to live versus frozen prey, or is it dependant on the snakes' preferences? Thanks for the advice. I do appreciate it."
As to the last post from MoccasinMan:
I do understand the dangerousness of these animals. Most snakes do have both hemotoxin and neurotoxin; however, their concentrations vary. Mojave greens have a more neurotoxic venom which in turn makes them more dangerous than other snakes. Thank you for the scolding, but I do know the severity of my (employers) decision. To retort (maybe to make myself sound less stupid to you and to others): The proper term is ANTIVENIN.
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RE: Mojave green questions
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by MoccasinMan on December 21, 2005
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I apologize for the scolding. I now have a better understanding of your situation. I hope you can understand why I discourage people from jumping into this arena. The dangers are not only personal, but politically for all of us. I will private e-mail you a resource you may find useful.
Good Luck,
Andrew
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RE: Mojave green questions
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by Rabies on December 22, 2005
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Just out of interest, I thought you'd all like to know that, during the WHO meeting on antivenom in Zurich 1979. A proposal regarding the correct terminology was submitted by Prof SK Sutherland and Dr Alistair Reid and "antivenom" was accepted as the official term, antivenene and antivenin were too confusing.
John
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Antivenom
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by Bud on December 26, 2005
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Yes,when I hear the old term being used I try to help out and let them in on the news thats decades old.
But with the way the hobby has degenerated why waste the time?
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