Yes, it is pretty exciting to work with & plan for the various venomous species that I'm interested in.
I don't see the cantil's temperament as being much worse than my "broken" copperhead (his temperament is very un-copperhead-like) although the venom is much worse since this one is from a neurotoxic locality.
I'm thinking that the babies (F2 Generation) will be pretty interesting & variable both due to the characteristic variability of the parent species (P Generation) & the variability that's associated with the F2 Generation. Outcrossing will be needed to avoid inbreeding, so I'm going to have to acquire unrelated individuals of the parent species that are from around the same area in order to try to keep the line going; at the last show, I was eying up a nice speckled that matched the proper coloration & pattern for that locality, so I might get that if it's at the next one (hopefully it doesn't sell at Hamburg in between that time). The goal is to maintain the calm demeanor & excellent "hook-ability" of these two while also keeping the coloration & pattern as natural as possible.
Not too sure if I follow you on the code names. They're all supposed to be of the same genus, but other specimens may come in with them as gifts from the exporter.
Great to hear that you're going to be acquiring a hot/hots. What do you plan on getting?
I meant Aspidelaps lubricus/scutatus, those things are as cute as venomous snakes can get but I am hesitant to start out with an elapid regardless of how "mild" their venom deposits may be.
I plan on leaving the show with 2 snakes, one venomous and the a non-venomous. At this moment a nice clean golden Eyelash Viper is ahead of the curb, and if I were to go this route I would have work done by
http://www.insertswork.com/ to make for an attractive enclosure. From all the arboreal species that I've looked at, I have come to the conclusion that this just may be the most adequate one to start out with. Atheris is something that I've considered but apparently they don't hook too well and the lack of antivenin leaves me second guessing, and C. insularis; while reportedly are more interesting (level of interactivity), well.. I'd be hard-pressed to find one at the show and I plan on letting the USFW be aware of what will be present at the time of the inspection so they can have antivenin ready. Temple Viper, while I am led to believe that as long as parameters are met, they will do fine (like GTP, ETB but with higher humidity, closely watched hydration and more constant airflow), they just seem more delicate and if one kicks the bucket, I will probably flip this coffee table.. and more.
Another option that I'm looking at is Crotalus lepidus klauberi. Yes, these guys have neurotoxin in their venom but there is no recorded human death from these guys - nope, I don't care to be the first. They have a small venom yield from in correlation to their size and that's factor of 'comfort' in my field of scan. What can I say, I am a sucker for all things cryptic. Sistrurus, while holding up in their own rights, just aren't
Crotalus. Crotalus cerastes was also considered at one time but the fact that they tend to do poorly in captivity has deterred me away since.
The two snakes that I've mentioned are reportedly frequently seen at the Hamburg show and I plan on making matters transparent prior to my departure for all involved parties. I will have about a month to decide before having to make my final decision.
The other snake that I will be on the look out for is
Lampropeltis triangulum gaigeae, aka the poor man's Eastern Indigo Snake. Of course, the purchased will be a young specimen prior to the colour change in order to not induce the poor USFW officer into a stroke.
