Venomous cage build

[Jonk9194]

I specialize in arboreal vipers and absolutely love them! First off, what are the dimensions of the cage? Neonates should not be housed in a adult cage as they won't feel secure, and in my experience, will be problematic. I would leave the screen top but partially cover it with something. Humidity is important but proper ventilation is even more important as stale air can easily cause respiratory infections.

The three species you are interested in have different care requirements as well. Your best bet for a starter out of the snakes you listed would probably be the Bothriechis schlegelii. Try to stay away from neos as they are very difficult to start feeding on pinks.

Atheris ceratophora should be avoided as they are all imported, have the most demanding of husbandry to keep successful, and can be very fragile.

Atheris squamigera is a hardy snake but at the moment are very uncommon and quite pricey. Also they are very unpredictable, fast, and aggressive. They're venom is also especially nasty and have caused numerous fatalities. Also, there is no anti-venom for this genus.

Definitely make sure you get a captive bred animal and make sure to ask how they are feeding.

You can make your display cage beautiful and simple at the same time. Try to avoid over doing it for ease of maintenance and safety.

 

[Tequila]

Looks like you're making a more naturalistic set up, which is nice. What arboreal viper are you looking at keeping?



How can you go about finding this out? I've heard that if you have a bad reaction to something like a wasp or bee sting that it is an indication that you may have a reaction to a bite... I've "fortunately" not been stung/bitten by anything so would be interested to know how to tell. Is it something they need to do a blood test for?

I would suggest that you speak to a specialist in the field, a doctor that specializes in venomous bites/stings etc., You should be able to find someone who is better suited to point you in the right direction by asking at whichever Hospital offers treatment for snake envenomations. There specialist will be able to tell you the best course of action. Just know that before hand could save valuable time, in a life and death situtation. There are people that have had far worse reactions to antivenom than they did to the envenomation. In Florida there is a group called VENOM ONE or Venom Response Unit, if your in florida contact them.

 

[Jonk9194]

I would suggest that you speak to a specialist in the field, a doctor that specializes in venomous bites/stings etc., You should be able to find someone who is better suited to point you in the right direction by asking at whichever Hospital offers treatment for snake envenomations. There specialist will be able to tell you the best course of action. Just know that before hand could save valuable time, in a life and death situtation. There are people that have had far worse reactions to antivenom than they did to the envenomation. In Florida there is a group called VENOM ONE or Venom Response Unit, if your in florida contact them.

I completely agree!

 

[snakeguy101]

I have already done tons of research and I think I am capable of caring for each of these animals with no problem. I do want to find a captive bred one of course but I do not want to narrow it down until I am at the show in Columbia. I might be working the table for strictly reptiles so I will see what they have at the show and I know I will get a deal on it.

As far as the enclosure goes, I am going to go ahead and make it a bit more naturalistic look and I will just take more time when working with the snake but I really don't think that I will ever have to mess with him or his cage except for feedings which can be done with some nice long tongs that I have. I understand that IF the snake does need to be removed, it would have to be done very carefully in such a complex enclosure but i do not think that it would be any different than working with them in the wild which I have lots experience with. Bottom line is that I would rather have an enclosure that mimics nature if I am going to take an animal from nature (even if it is captive bred) so that the snake can live a nice and enriched life.

 

[Jonk9194]

I have already done tons of research and I think I am capable of caring for each of these animals with no problem. I do want to find a captive bred one of course but I do not want to narrow it down until I am at the show in Columbia. I might be working the table for strictly reptiles so I will see what they have at the show and I know I will get a deal on it.

As far as the enclosure goes, I am going to go ahead and make it a bit more naturalistic look and I will just take more time when working with the snake but I really don't think that I will ever have to mess with him or his cage except for feedings which can be done with some nice long tongs that I have. I understand that IF the snake does need to be removed, it would have to be done very carefully in such a complex enclosure but i do not think that it would be any different than working with them in the wild which I have lots experience with. Bottom line is that I would rather have an enclosure that mimics nature if I am going to take an animal from nature (even if it is captive bred) so that the snake can live a nice and enriched life.

I don't know your past experience and I wasn't trying to imply that you couldn't care for it. I was just making suggestions based on my experiences and from what I've learned from people that have been keeping arboreal for decades.

Saying that you won't ever have to mess with it other than to feed and occasionally remove it sounds good in conversation, but that is not how it works.

For example: I received a pair of sub-adult Cryptelytrops insularis last june that were wild caught. Being wild caught I had a fecal exam ran on them and both had intestinal parasites which is common on imports. Unfortunately, they would only accept live mice, so I had to pin them behind the head and run a catheter into their stomachs every two weeks until the fecal samples came back clear.

I'm not saying that you are not ready or unqualified to do something like that, but that is the reason I am strongly suggesting captive bred specimens.

 

[youngbuckfl]

I have thought about that but it is too risky and I do not have the facilities to do that. A friend of mine owns a venom lab not far from me and he produces TONS of venom for research. I would also need a freeze drier that is $$$ and many more snakes to produce any consequential amount of venom and furthermore, I don't know of anyone that needs venom that does not already have a supplier.

Where in FL are you, I go field herping a lot and am always looking for people to go with me. If I am in your area, would you like to meet up to catch some stuff? I know where tons of good spots are.

im in ft myers. well if u are doin any work for strictly then ur set mike and the guys are some of the best ive ever met .eyelash vipers i like the best but the Southern copperhead has some awesome colors.

 

[snakeguy101]

I don't know your past experience and I wasn't trying to imply that you couldn't care for it. I was just making suggestions based on my experiences and from what I've learned from people that have been keeping arboreal for decades.

Saying that you won't ever have to mess with it other than to feed and occasionally remove it sounds good in conversation, but that is not how it works.

For example: I received a pair of sub-adult Cryptelytrops insularis last june that were wild caught. Being wild caught I had a fecal exam ran on them and both had intestinal parasites which is common on imports. Unfortunately, they would only accept live mice, so I had to pin them behind the head and run a catheter into their stomachs every two weeks until the fecal samples came back clear.

I'm not saying that you are not ready or unqualified to do something like that, but that is the reason I am strongly suggesting captive bred specimens.

I know and I always aim for captive bred and born specimen and I dont think that I am qualified enough to force feed a hot snake so if it comes to that, I know a very good reptile vet that is not far from me and I will keep the snake in a simple enclosure until it is healthy and accepting food.

Thanks for all of your input.

 

[ExoticEctotherms]

Good luck with everything man...it certainly sounds like you are ready for this to me. As far as which species to get...I vote for pic #1. That is one bad ass looking viper! Keep us updated...and pics are a must once you get the lil guy.

 

[limz_777]

have to agree , keep the tank set up simple

 

[bomber]

I want to see photo's. Good luck with your poisonous snake.