What a gorgeous snake - Gaboon Viper

Actually many years ago at the National Zoo in DC a teenager broke into the reptile house one night and stole a Gaboon Viper and stuck it in a pillowcase and threw it over his shoulder to take home and keep as a pet.
He got about half way home on the bus no less and was transfering when it finally bit him in the back thru the case.
Needless to say he created quite a stir. My dad was a police officer at the zoo at the time and he was one of the officers that had to race to the airport to pick up addt'l antivenom. Young man recovered fine, thankfully.

My dad everytime he see's a pic of a Gaboon Viper remembers that whole evening.

There are awesomely beautiful snakes.

Reptile Magazine did an article on gabbons a few months back and I was floored by their beauty. As crazy as their pattern is they show a picture laying under leaves and the camoflauge is perfect! If you like them you gotta see the article. They are my new favorite venomous, but cobras are still some of the most intimidating.

I do like Gaboons and Rhinos, although I wouldn't ever really consider keeping hots. Beautiful but deadly, hehe. :D
My favorite venomous snake has got to be either the Eyelash viper of the Fer De Lance. :snake:

Gaboons have got to be one of my favorite snakes. Just something about gaboons that makes you just want to hold them:rolleyes:. Hopefully in a few months ill be able to work with them:).

Gaboon Viper
Gaboon Mouth

Rhinos are also pretty cool, but to me the gaboons are way better:).

gaboons are beautiful but i think rhino vipers take the cake like the one from the ituri forest. here is one from diamond reptile breeders
http://diamondreptile.com/ituri_rhino_viper.html
i want one so bad!

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Originally Posted by westcoastjungle

Reptile Magazine did an article on gabbons a few months back and I was floored by their beauty. As crazy as their pattern is they show a picture laying under leaves and the camoflauge is perfect! If you like them you gotta see the article. They are my new favorite venomous, but cobras are still some of the most intimidating.

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There's a quite decent sized Gaboon at the Toledo Zoo. It's in a very naturalistic display with lots of leaf litter and yes it is amazing how their pattern just completely blends in. You could easily step on one without knowing it's there (though you might find out about a millisecond later!). I was absolutely fascinated by it and kept going back over and over again to watch it.

I've seen both gaboon and rhinos in real life....(behind glass, thankfully) and I agree, both are stunning. I was amazed to see how thick they get as well. Wasn't expecting that.

I'm with Chrinuck, gabinos are where its at! Fo'sho.:sweeet:

-Jason

I've spent want hours watching these videos he has. Talked to him on Email and he is a nice guy. He keeps some Gaboon as well as rhino I believe

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=viperkeeper