Rattlesnakes?

[David Tobler]

I haven't posted on this forum in a very long time. Just seeing if there's any rattlesnake fans on here? I keep a small collection of native California rattler species. Just wondering who else keeps rattlers or other venomous snakes?

Here's a few pics of a couple of my captives:

Sub-adult female Panamint Rattlesnake

Male Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake This is a very old pic of this snake.. taken about 4 years ago. It's now an adult.

Yearling female Panamint Rattlesnake

Yearling male Northern Mojave Rattlesnake (het. albino)

Adult male Panamint Rattlesnake

 

[snakeguy101]

Nice, I keep a few rattlers among other hots. I currently have 9 eastern diamondbacks (8 of them are my babies that are going to be sold at the columbia show) and a Canebrake (osceola locality). I also have a pair of eyelash vipers and a pair of cobras (one albino, one normal). I also occasionally have a cottonmouth or copperhead but I usually dont keep those and if I do, I am holding them for a friend who wanted one.

 

[snakeguy101]

You look like a Field Herp Forum kind of guy. Do you ever post there? Your pics look a little familiar...

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Beautful snaes & shots and always a joy to see pix of your collecton chris

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

Nice! id lov some but i prob wont own any american HOTs.

 

[David Tobler]

You look like a Field Herp Forum kind of guy. Do you ever post there? Your pics look a little familiar...

From time to time.

 

[David Tobler]

Nice, I keep a few rattlers among other hots. I currently have 9 eastern diamondbacks (8 of them are my babies that are going to be sold at the columbia show) and a Canebrake (osceola locality). I also have a pair of eyelash vipers and a pair of cobras (one albino, one normal). I also occasionally have a cottonmouth or copperhead but I usually dont keep those and if I do, I am holding them for a friend who wanted one.

I like your EDB and Canebrake... Very cool.

 

[jconley]

Very cool! But.......I have a question: HOW IN THE HELL TO YOU ALL SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH THOSE IN THE HOUSE??????????? I have been on the receiving end of several near misses from wild Eastern Diamondbacks and Timber Rattlers in the Shenandoah valley and a couple of Copperheads in Potomac Md. That alone was enough to still give me nightmares years later!!!! Not knocking anyone or anything....just sayin'..... lol!

 

[David Tobler]

Very cool! But.......I have a question: HOW IN THE HELL TO YOU ALL SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH THOSE IN THE HOUSE??????????? I have been on the receiving end of several near misses from wild Eastern Diamondbacks and Timber Rattlers in the Shenandoah valley and a couple of Copperheads in Potomac Md. That alone was enough to still give me nightmares years later!!!! Not knocking anyone or anything....just sayin'..... lol!

I'm a bit more toned down then I used to be with keeping rattlesnakes. I no longer keep them in my bedroom. I used to have a large pair of Red Diamond Rattlesnakes, Crotalus ruber on each side of my head board. Yes, I used to sleep with large rattlensakes right next to my face! It really doesn't bother me much. I certainly have a very healthy respect for venomous snakes, and keep them in very secure caging.

People often ask me, "What kind of enjoyment do you get from keeping rattlesnakes? You can't hold them!". I usually reply stating that keeping fish is much larger hobby than keeping venomous snakes.

As for snakeguy... I am surprized his parents let him keep the stuff he does. I used to have to hide non-venomous snakes to get them into my parent's house when I was a teenager.

 

[David Tobler]

I'm a bit more toned down then I used to be with keeping rattlesnakes. I no longer keep them in my bedroom. I used to have a large pair of Red Diamond Rattlesnakes, Crotalus ruber on each side of my head board. Yes, I used to sleep with large rattlensakes right next to my face! It really doesn't bother me much. I certainly have a very healthy respect for venomous snakes, and keep them in very secure caging.

People often ask me, "What kind of enjoyment do you get from keeping rattlesnakes? You can't hold them!". I usually reply stating that keeping fish is much larger hobby than keeping venomous snakes.

As for snakeguy... I am surprized his parents let him keep the stuff he does. I used to have to hide non-venomous snakes to get them into my parent's house when I was a teenager.

I'll also add that my handling and transporting techniques, as well as caging are actually safer than some AZA accredited zoos. I also never pin and hold rattlers, I've yet to find a reason that it would seem necessary.