My Venomous Snakes

Hello All,


I wanted to share with you guys my small venomous snake collection.


Here is the list:


1.1 Acanthophis sp. "Northern Floodplains" (2009/2011)


These snakes come from Northern Australia. The classification is a bit problematic as with most Death Adders. They have been called Acanthophis praelongus, Acanthophis cummingi and Acanthophis hawkei. Acanthophis praelongus is way too general for all Northern adders and does not work for this species. Acanthophis cummingi is a Hoser classification and is not accepted by most taxonomist. Acanthophis hawkei is used due to their genetics, apparently they are almost identical to their cousins from Barkly Tableland so they will probably be called Acanthophis hawkei at the end.


These snakes get to be around 80cm, the overall color is grey but they have beautiful orange/red and yellow bands. My pair will probably breed this coming spring.


Male:


http://imageshack.us/a/img844/6821/jxkd.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img850/756/ah...ultmaleeye.jpg




Female:


http://imageshack.us/a/img850/7325/4kxq.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img27/341/seaofcolor.jpg


1.1 Acanthophis sp. "Dajarra" (2012/2011)


These snakes come from the Dajarra desert in Australia and they are also a part of a classification debate. Again they are labeled as Acanthophis woolfi by Hoser but they are put into the Acanthophis rugosus group by Wuster. They are desert adapted adder species and have a beautiful coloration, which matches to their environment. Mine will probably breed in 2014.


Male:


http://imageshack.us/a/img703/6691/o1fn.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img213/7261/scales.jpg


1.1 Acanthophis antarcticus "Sydney Red" (2013)


Probably the pride and joy of my Death Adder collection, these come from Southeastern Australia, around Sydney area. They grow up to be impressive meter long adders and end up being light red with dark red bands. Adults look spectacular and even hatchlings like mine show a lot of color.


http://imageshack.us/a/img9/6485/6dj5.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img34/4283/3lfq.jpg


1.1 Naja (Boulengerina) sp. "Congo Water Cobra" (2013)


One of the rarest captive bred snakes. Only one breeder exists in Europe and he produces only three babies a year if it is a good year. These are probably the smallest cobras available, max out at around 60cm and are quite docile for a cobra when they are captive bred. The live in Congo near a lake and eat fish. Unfortunately, they are under risk of extinction due to gill nets in the lake that they hunt. I was told that switching them to mice is very difficult but took me 10 minutes to do so with my special scenting recipe .


http://imageshack.us/a/img534/4025/7n9m.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img577/6106/2yl9.jpg




0.1 Crotalus d. unicolor (2013)


Pitvipers are not my thing. I do not like venomous snakes with additional arsenal but I couldn't refuse this species. Critically endangered in the wild, these rattlesnakes are quite common in Europe. However, the ones available are very dark in color with clear markings. The wild ones are very light, with very faint pattern so I assume the stock in Europe is either hybridized or originated from a very dark pair. The baby girl I got on the other hand is very faint and will surely turn out to be exactly like they are in the wild with a lot of blue and pink. She may be the prettiest snake I have seen with my own eyes.


http://imageshack.us/a/img94/4318/4efj.jpg




Here is my Youtube channel, where I upload regular videos about these beautiful snakes. I also have videos from my previous venomous snakes, my Gila Monsters and my non-venomous reptiles. Enjoy and thanks for watching:


http://www.youtube.com/user/Najakeeper

Very cool collection!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Very beautiful animals. It is quite a lovely collection.
Stay safe. :)

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Very beautiful animals!

All very nice specimens. That unicolor is awesome. It's a shame you don't have a male for her.

Very nice collection!

So how does one get close enough to the hot snake to determine its male or female

Thanks for the comments guys.

I can get a male for the C.d.unicolor next year, I don't have much space left so I might get into a breeding arrangement with another keeper, no problems there.

As for sexing, usually it is a two people job. One can restrain the snake with a tube, while the other probes it. But most of my snakes, especially the death adders, can be sexed just by looking at the tails.

Here is the Crotalus d. unicolor striking a dead pinky:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAOp7Ycqv-E


Very hard to catch him eating though...

Here is an update on the unnamed species of water cobra, Naja (Boulengerina) sp. "Congo".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpFtiWQAMdU

And here are some pictures:

Naja (Boulengerina) sp. "Congo" male:

http://imageshack.us/a/img12/980/t543.jpg

Acanthophis hawkei female:

http://imageshack.us/a/img594/1106/c64d.jpg

Acanthophis sp. "Dajarra Desert" male:

http://imageshack.us/a/img707/8418/9w5c.jpg

I love unicolor! Nice. I really need some.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Crotalids

I love unicolor! Nice. I really need some.

---

And here is the famous Crotalus d. unicolor feeding while being filmed:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFX-oiFhufA

Yea, I want that cobra.

Here is the female Acanthophis sp. Dajarra with a rat pink:

http://imageshack.us/a/img31/886/xrm9.jpg

Acanthophis sp."Dajarra" female in shed:

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/2176/ghm9.jpg

Eye macro:

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/9134/l1ei.jpg

Awesome snakes!



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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Acanthophis sp."Dajarra" female in shed:

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/2176/ghm9.jpg

Eye macro:

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/9134/l1ei.jpg

---

great shots

Here is the female Acanthophis sp. "Dajarra" feeding on a small mouse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0sZsuSxTfM

I may consider breeding her this season...

I spoke to a few people who had dealings with the Naja (Boulengerina) sp.

From what I was told they get around 3 foot but the N. annulata I was told average around 4 foot. I'm not sure how correct the information is, but this is what I was told by Tom Crutchfield.

The guy that you know that breeds them, how old/long are his adults?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neal

I spoke to a few people who had dealings with the Naja (Boulengerina) sp.

From what I was told they get around 3 foot but the N. annulata I was told average around 4 foot. I'm not sure how correct the information is, but this is what I was told by Tom Crutchfield.

The guy that you know that breeds them, how old/long are his adults?

---

The adults are about 2ft long, but Tom is right about the annulata, I have seen even larger specimens.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Najakeeper

The adults are smaller than 2ft long, but Tom is right about the annulata, I have seen even larger specimens.

---

Okay that's what I was confused about. He said he had never dealt with N. Christyi which are the ones you have correct? I know the genus changed but what confused me is that the only two Boulengerina were the annulata and Christyi(which are the ones you have?) so I figured the size may of been an assumption by him. I know the information on wiki about them is a bit off.

There are three species mate:

N.annulata
N.christyi
N.sp "Congo"

The confusion is due to both christyi and undescribed species coming from Congo.

What I have is the undescribed species, smallest of all three.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Najakeeper

There are three species mate:

N.annulata
N.christyi
N.sp "Congo"

The confusion is due to both christyi and undescribed species coming from Congo.

What I have is the undescribed species, smallest of all three.

---

That makes even more sense. I wish they were more studied and available.

Common Death Adder eating a fuzzy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u44BmxRqz8

Acanthophis antarcticus (Common Death Adder) from Sydney:


http://imageshack.com/a/img18/1995/jdsr.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img855/2636/qcdc.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img827/2199/fzi9.jpg


Acanthophis hawkei happy Death Adder dance:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN6sl7vbK6c


Acanthophis sp. Dajarra slowmo strike:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN7Ll9gJ6uc

Here is my beautiful Crotalus d. unicolor:


Head:
http://imageshack.com/a/img546/5625/vp5t.jpg


Scale detail:


http://imageshack.com/a/img577/2535/bqnn.jpg


Rattle:
http://imageshack.com/a/img268/6615/8kje.jpg

I love cobras! Do water cobras have a 'hood' that fans out like the typical cobra everyone thinks of?

And here is a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxaTc0tLigA

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lubana

I love cobras! Do water cobras have a 'hood' that fans out like the typical cobra everyone thinks of?

---

Water cobras have a very narrow hood and they hardly ever display it, very though to catch on camera.

Here are a couple of the cobras, which I had when I was in the States hooding:

http://imageshack.com/a/img69/8517/38pi.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img241/7514/48wq.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Everything In This Thread

---

Great stuff! I have no intention of ever getting into venomous snakes, but they are fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Water cobras have a very narrow hood and they hardly ever display it, very though to catch on camera.

Here are a couple of the cobras, which I had when I was in the States hooding:

http://imageshack.com/a/img69/8517/38pi.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img241/7514/48wq.jpg

---

Awesome!!!! Did you have to take a class to earn credits/certification to be able to handle and own them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lubana

Awesome!!!! Did you have to take a class to earn credits/certification to be able to handle and own them?

---

Nope, when I was living in WA, it was perfectly legal to keep them with no permits. Unfortunately, now it is completely illegal.

I started with non-venomous and worked my way up by myself, which I do not recommend. It is best to start with a mentor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Nope, when I was living in WA, it was perfectly legal to keep them with no permits. Unfortunately, now it is completely illegal.

I started with non-venomous and worked my way up by myself, which I do not recommend. It is best to start with a mentor.

---

Ahhh. Gotcha. Here, in FL, you have to be certified. I've given some thought to it, then realized, "Hey! If I'm going to go through all the trouble of being certified, I may as well be certified to milk them. Do you do that with yours?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lubana

Ahhh. Gotcha. Here, in FL, you have to be certified. I've given some thought to it, then realized, "Hey! If I'm going to go through all the trouble of being certified, I may as well be certified to milk them. Do you do that with yours?

---

Nope, I do not. That would create unnecessary stress on my snakes and on me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lubana

... I may as well be certified to milk them. Do you do that with yours?

---

Here's some excellent info from Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry about the process of milking snakes. There's a lot of specialized equipment and controls involved in order to get viable samples.

https://www.facebook.com/urbanjungle...652743984871:0

Here are a couple interesting pictures:


Here is a desert snake enjoying some fish:


http://imageshack.com/a/img203/5981/ivrm.jpg


And here is the valley of Death:


http://imageshack.com/a/img42/8141/955i.jpg

Here is a new feeding video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXvxLN-_PDE


She is coming close to 60cm even though she is still somewhat thin. Growing very fast...

More Death Adder action with a tiny bit more...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6nfECCqYY

Here are the new enclosures for these guys:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-96eoJfA3s


They are doing amazing and getting more docile every day.

This girl just gets better looking everyday!


Crotalus durissus unicolor:


http://imageshack.com/a/img842/9936/fqmz.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img843/3386/g0vi.jpg


Rattle:


http://imageshack.com/a/img835/9428/lwuc.jpg

Here is the beautiful Crotalus d. unicolor eating a large prey item for change:

http://imageshack.com/a/img836/9751/vpyu.jpg

Great collection

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Jackpot!:

http://imageshack.com/a/img843/6594/titzf.jpg


I also shot a video, which I will upload next week...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Jackpot!:

http://imageshack.com/a/img843/6594/titzf.jpg


I also shot a video, which I will upload next week...

---

And here is how Death Adders do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYjAPMvN754

Today's pictures from the collection:


Acanthophis woolfi female post shed:


http://imageshack.com/a/img853/9046/l4qw.jpg


Acanthophis antarcticus male:


http://imageshack.com/a/img850/3010/y7uw.jpg


Acanthophis hawkei female with a xxl mouse:


http://imageshack.com/a/img820/8731/sjtb.jpg


Scale detailed while swallowing, notice the skin in between the scales:


http://imageshack.com/a/img842/7708/dtmq4.jpg


Head shot:


http://imageshack.com/a/img855/7500/r2yi.jpg


Boulengerina male, the sand worm:

http://imageshack.com/a/img853/343/f2uz.jpg


Last but not the least! Naja kaouthia female (Orange Pastel, T+Albino, highlite):


http://imageshack.com/a/img823/7641/8or7.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img840/5363/747k.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img856/2310/79ys.jpg


I love the Naja naja style hood mark. As she ages, she will end up orange with purple highlights.

Ok, first one was for a noble reason like conception. Now, they are just having fun! ;)


http://imageshack.com/a/img837/1954/h1t3.jpg

This girl gets more spectacular with every shed:

http://imageshack.com/a/img841/6509/wkkv3.jpg

Here is a female Monocled Cobra I picked up. She is just an amazing triple mutation morph. Hopefully I will get a Leucistic male for her:


http://imageshack.com/a/img856/5706/8fx3.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfsvk7jOnU

I just love how this girl looks, especially the partial monocle, she is amazing:


http://imageshack.com/a/img856/6071/ivb1.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img856/4053/9vvj.jpg


She is not afraid to charge at me either the little bugger :D.

More from today's feeding:

Crotalus unicolor ready to strike at my face. This species is really an amazing looking example of the Crotalus genus.


http://imageshack.com/a/img843/4113/tb69o.jpg

The male Sydney A.antarcticus is getting to be very beautiful and he can easily take hopper size mice. He is also a very "enthusiastic" feeder. Female is still being tease fed and has no interest in food until she is hit on the head with it for 5 minutes. I hope she will catch up soon.


http://imageshack.com/a/img855/41/3ood.jpg

Mobile jaw of a cobra:


http://imageshack.com/a/img820/7253/z26s.jpg

Beautiful side view:


http://imageshack.com/a/img849/2894/up0l.jpg