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handling heavyweight vipers
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by Venomjunkie on June 15, 2006
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ok i know i just asked a question on handling arboreal vipers, but i figured i would ask this as well. what is the best way to handle large EDBs, WDBs, gaboons, etc.? some of them seem to get too girthy to comfortably fit inside the U of a Midwest standard hook. the only other thing i can think of to use is the Midwest python hook. have any of you used these with success on heavyweight vipers?
also, what kind of holding containers do you use on large hots (both vipers and elapids)? i wouldnt want to stick a 6+ ft venomous snake in a colored garbage can and possibly get tagged when i opened the can because the snakes head was right at the top.
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by emtnurse on June 15, 2006
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On the big EDB's and WDB's, I have never had a problem hooking these guys with Midwest hooks. I use the standard 44inch hook with no problems. I use 2 hooks with the bigger guys and they ride fine. It seems to be the smaller guys that dont like to ride the hook. On my gaboons, I use 2 hooks for now to transport them with no troubles. The containers I use, are the large clear plastic containers with lockable lids. You can buy these at any Wal-Mart or whatever store you use. I like to see where my snakes are at and what they are doing. Hope this helps. Bryan
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by AquaHerp on June 16, 2006
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Big gabonica and the like should always be moved (inasmuch as a snake needs to ever be moved) utilizing two hooks to keep the weight better supported and offset the chance of doing bodily damage from the slender hook itself. Big adamanteus hook like a tree log anyway and inevitably need two hooks simply because they don't ride a hook well once they start getting a little size.Bushmasters and their kin are the same, as I suppose you can apply this to all the heavyweights really.
The idea of the clear containers is a good one that way you can see where the head is situated when opening. I traditionally use a deep (40 gal) trash can and always open the lid away from me using the hook or tongs.
Good luck.
Doug Hotle
General Curator
Abilene ZOOlogical Gardens
Abilene, Texas
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by Venomjunkie on June 16, 2006
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thanks for the advice guys! for some reason i thought that the adults of some of the larger species would be too girthy to fit comfortably inside the end of a Midwest standard hook (the hook i use) but i guess i have been proven wrong lol. thanks again!
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by SwampY on June 17, 2006
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I had one EDB that combined heavy weight with the uncanny ability to get off any hook who came near it, it was like trying to pick up a puddle of water. Pretty much moving that snake was limited to letting it get onto the floor and dragging it whereever it needed to be. It worked.
Chad
http://www.envenomated.com
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by Cro on June 17, 2006
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Dylan: It is great that you are posting excellent questions here on how to work with venomous snakes.
You are getting great advise, and it is a good way to learn and gain knowledge.
The one thing that this written knowledge will never replace though is first hand experinece.
I believe there are quite a few hot keepers in your state, and some good reptile shows.
You really should try to become a member of the Herpetological Societies in your state, and attend the reptile shows, and meet some of the venomous keepers.
That way you can get some first hand knowledge by watching them work with venomous snakes, and perhaps they will let you work with snakes under their supervision.
There is so much more you can learn by watching and doing, than reading. I would encourage you to try to do this if you can. It just sort of depends on what access you have to attend herp society meetings and shows.
Keep posting here, as written advice is still very good. It just would be good for you to get some hands-on experience also.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by Venomjunkie on June 17, 2006
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thanks for the advise john! i only know one hot keeper that lives close to me and the only hots he has are a pair of monocleds and a pair of sri lanka palm vipers. i havent really asked him to mentor me yet but im kinda planning to as even though he only has a few hots, he can show me the basics of hot keeping. i know a guy in Butler, PA that has tons of hots, but thats a bit far north for me to travel very often. now on to the herp shows. i only have two within a reasonable distance to me and of course neither one allows hots lol. they are both pretty small shows, but i still go to them every once in a while.
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by Cro on June 17, 2006
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Dylan: The reptile show you should really, really try to attend is the August Northern Berks Reptile Show. It is probably a 4 hour drive from you, but is one of the biggest shows on the East Coast. Perhaps you and some friends can get together and share gas and hotel expenses and go for the weekend. Perhaps the hot keeper you know locally is planning to attend and you can ride there with him. Offer to help pay for gas, this does wonders in getting rides to places, LOL ! Post an ad here on this site and see if one of the members who live in your state might be going and could give you transportation to that show.
At least you have some hot keepers near by. Hopefully, they will help you along. Good Luck.
http://www.northernberksreptileshow.com/
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by Venomjunkie on June 17, 2006
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trust me, ive been longing to go to that show for ages lol. the only problem is, as you stated, its very far away from me. no one in my family other than me is a herper so i know none of them will take me. i suppose i could ask that guy i know, but im not sure if hes going, and even if he is, we arent like best buds or anything, i just get my rats off him lol, so i dont know if hed take me or not. and then my mom probably wouldnt want me going 4 hours away with someone she doesnt know. so as you can see, there are a lot of complications lol. ill see what i can workout though. thanks for the help!
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RE: handling heavyweight vipers
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by Crotalus75 on June 22, 2006
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There are a number of ways to move heavy weight vipers. One of my male gaboons is over 30 pounds. This guy can be double hooked with standard hooks at the first and last 1/3 of his body, or he can be hooked at the first third and tailed (not recommended to the beginner. If he gets spooked or irritated he can jerk out of your hands.) Once out of the enclosure he can be hooked at the rear 1/3 and be dragged across the floor. I have tried the midwest python hook, but it's just to heavy and I don't feel like adding any more weight to this monster. I know some people who scoop the rear up in a scoop/snow shovel and hook the front half of their heavy weights.
As for holding enclosures......I use large clear plastic containers (as deep as possible)with snap on lids. I also place a plastic hide in the bottom that I direct the snake into. The hide really helps distract wirey elapids that want to dart right back out unless they have a small dark space to crawl into.
I am always on the look out for a large clear trash can with a locking lid....fat chance....
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