More Thrasops (DUW)

My second male and third female are accepting each other and have been hooking up off and on for the past few days:

Post Coital Snuggling:
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For those unfamiliar with this species, they are kissing cousins to boomslangs (same venom, less toothiness) and second cousins to thelatornis. They are incredibly active and inquisitive. People who are familiar with cribos, false water cobras and other large active will be amazed at how interactive these animals are.

For people who have always been interested in boomslangs but cannot own one due to permit regulations or fear of a lethal envenomation, thrasops are a way to get the boomer experience without stocking anti-venom.

They require a lot of space, as they are arboreal, and once accustomed to handling, make incredible pets.

These guys are awesome! Can you please go deeper in explaining why theres no need for anti-venom? How dangerous is a bite from them?

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Originally Posted by Shock

These guys are awesome! Can you please go deeper in explaining why theres no need for anti-venom? How dangerous is a bite from them?

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Boomslangs have gigantic grooved rear fangs with compressor muscles. While the venom is extremely toxic, they have one of the most developed delivery systems for a rear-fanged snake. This is why wearing long sleeves and light gloves is of no use when handling boomers.

Thrasops have nominally enlarged rear fang with no grooves. They have to do a lot of chewing to get a dangerous dose of venom into you. I've been chewed on for just under 40 seconds by one of my males. I had little in the way of swelling but intense discoloration and extensive bleeding and fluid seepage for a couple of days.

Other people have had longer chews with similar effects. If you were to wear gloves and long sleeves, any bite from a thrasops would be ineffective.

Another thing to consider is that boomers can open up their mouths almost 180 degrees - which makes them more prone to striking in defense.

Thrasops don't have that ability, and instead will puff and feint but not strike with the same eagerness. Most bites are feeding related.

If you were to let a thrasops chew on you for over five minutes, I could see the potential for a medically significant problem. I've had these animals for over decade and feel that an advanced keeper would not have an issue with a potential bite of this nature.

Thanks for the info. I would love to one day own a venomous snake but I just dont know where to begin. What is a good "starter" snake?

Those are gorgeous!

And so is that enclosure you have them in! Very nice - did you do that yourself? It seems perfectly suited to them.

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

Those are gorgeous!

And so is that enclosure you have them in! Very nice - did you do that yourself? It seems perfectly suited to them.

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I keep pairs in a 3' wide by 2' deep x 4' tall vivarium. The one in the picture is one I build myself.

I keep adult individuals in cages measuring 3' wide x 2' deep x 2' tall. They like to climb, also they are offered plenty of branches and a few bird houses mounted to the walls.

For those unfamiliar, boomslang venom is medically interesting (which is always a warning sign, lol). It has a reputation for killing a person days after they are envenomated, and after primary symptoms abate.

This is because it contains some pretty serious anticoagulants. One weak spot in any blood vessel (which the venom encourages), and boom--aneurysm.

Definitely a venom to be cautious and aware of.

My advice for anyone wanting to branch to venomous would be that they should error on the side of caution. Get something like an Amazon tree boa first, and see if you can work without without being bitten. Don't take excessive liberties with even mildly venomous snakes (hognose not included). Always remember that developing an allergy is a significant risk with venoms.

(My own future plans include Oxybelis fulgidis, but I need the space for a proper setup, and a good locking cage--I want my kids to be a bit older, too).

Hope these guys got the dirty deed done for you! Great looking snakes, Craig. Looking forward to a pair from you when they pop out!

you have quite the collection. interesting species!!

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

For those unfamiliar, boomslang venom is medically interesting (which is always a warning sign, lol). It has a reputation for killing a person days after they are envenomated, and after primary symptoms abate.

This is because it contains some pretty serious anticoagulants. One weak spot in any blood vessel (which the venom encourages), and boom--aneurysm.

Definitely a venom to be cautious and aware of.

My advice for anyone wanting to branch to venomous would be that they should error on the side of caution. Get something like an Amazon tree boa first, and see if you can work without without being bitten. Don't take excessive liberties with even mildly venomous snakes (hognose not included). Always remember that developing an allergy is a significant risk with venoms.

(My own future plans include Oxybelis fulgidis, but I need the space for a proper setup, and a good locking cage--I want my kids to be a bit older, too).

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Developing an allergy is dependent on exposure, especially to inhaled dried venom residue.

This is an infinitessimal if not negligible risk when dealing with rear-fanged snakes.

The BS we continually hear about people being allergic to hognose venom or other rear-fanged venom is just that - BS. The swelling of the bite site is due to components in the venom, not an allergic reaction.

My old mentor developed an allergy to snake venom after decades of handing venomous snakes in the lab and at home, and had to carry an epipen with him at all times.

A day of cleaning cages would trigger an attack in which he had problems breathing, swollen lips, etc. A few years before his death he used to have to wear a respirator to work around many of his animals.

Again, thats with elapids and vipers that inject venom and often leave deposits of it about the cage, which is then dried and inhaled.

As for thrasops: when feeding them live prey, they will bite and chew. Within a short period of time the prey item will be bleeding from the mouth, the nose, the eyes, etc. I've only fed live a couple of times, and only to get new animals onto rodents.

These animals are amazingly tuned into movement and changes in their surroundings. If you take one outside, you will be astounded on how they key in to everything around them. The will follow your movements, the movement of your dog and also investigate a bird flying by - often all at the same time.

They are also very curious animals - anything new in their enclosure is investigated. Relocating a hide, a waterbowl or a branch is cause for several minutes of head bobbing, darting in and out to check out the relocated item, etc.