Gabby

http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00621.JPG
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00623.JPG
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00630.JPG

That was shortly after unpacking them. Very very calm hots but never to be trusted.

wow, i didnt know they were so squat!

I would say they are born the size of a baby ball python. If not smaller lol.

http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00635.JPG
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00945.JPG
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00958.JPG
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/boomer1.jpg
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/femboom3.jpg
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/femboom5.jpg
http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/handmang.JPG

And just some other shots.

Western Diamond Back baby
Copperhead
Boomslangs
Nice Mangrove

Awww,

That looks so cute and sweet. :hug:

:fishslap:

:dead:

:tombstone

:P



dr del

nice, I absolutely adore Gabby's. That Mangrove is a looker too!

:gj:Boomslangs have the most toxic venom concentration of any snake. Good thing they are rear fanged. Great job with the hots man! You are brave.

Not so much rear fanged. Boomslangs fangs move also. They also have very very large fangs. i would say larger then some cobra species. I will see if I can get a fang shot. I know my buddy too a pic of the females fangs.

Their fange are right under their eyes. So more of a mid fang snake. A simple bite would have venom injected. they have no reason or need to chew really.

I would say they are one of the more dangerous snakes to keep. fast and hot. But one of my favorites lol

Wow; your snakes are stunning. They all look so vibrant and healthy! Nice.

http://www.northshorereptiles.com/ga...1/IMG_0236.JPG

Boomer fangs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

Wow; your snakes are stunning. They all look so vibrant and healthy! Nice.

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Thanks I try very hard to duplicate all natural suroundings for each species (for the hots atleast lol)

Awesome fang shot. The Boomslangs i'm familar with are much greener, almost green mamba green. Are there different localities? or do they age and become blacker?

Some males will turn balck during mating seasons and turn back to green later.

Females tend to be Brown in color as adults and babies tend to have a lot of blue.

But there are black females as the one pictured and also brown males. Ray Hunter has a male that turns from black to green. i believe it has nothing to do with locales though. Just with the snake. My male is always black.

Quote:

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http://www.proherps.com/gal/albums/hots/DSC00621.JPG

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I am in love :love:

Not sure why but I have always been captivated by Gabon vipers, just such an amazing snake.

I have to get recent pics. The female is much larger now(gabby). Also I have some other stuff yet to post lol. I will go post it.

What can you tell me about Mangroves? I like that snake. I haven't done much research on them, but I will :cool:

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GABBY! Those are my absoulte favorite snake on the planet. They are THE most beautiful serpent imho. SO pretty :bow::snake:

Mangroves are hot. If it is illegal to own venomous where you live they are then against the law.

mangroves are rearfanged and usually aggresive snakes. Their set up is more important then anything else. I would not say they are for the beginner. I set mine up with three hides one in the canapy. I keep a hot spot in the canopy atleast 95. Cool on the ground around 82.

They can be switched to mice and rats.

This has to be one species I can say I know a lot about lol.

Gabby's pattern is just amazing, like a work of art, thanks for sharing:gj:

That little gabby is awesome! :love:

Thanks for sharing those pics. It's nice to see some new species too. :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Awww,

That looks so cute and sweet. :hug:

:fishslap:

:dead:

:tombstone

:P



dr del

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Lol! :rofl:

You have some very nice snakes! Gabbies i have always admired from a far.......they do give you that look of pick me up! But we all know thats not smart! Nice collection! how long have you been keeping Hots?

Very nice Gaboon...I love their pattern and color...they are great to look at from a distance:D

Roughly 5 to 6 years I have been on the hot side. Over 15 years on nonvenomous.

I've never really gotten to know a hot owner, Gary. I'd be interested in hearing what safety precautions you've developed over the years of owning these gorgeous, but deadly snakes (either in this thread or if you want, feel free to start another). I just think it would be fascinating to know what goes into being a truly responsible hot handler.

Btw, if you're interested check out this link. I got a quite nice close up shot of the Toledo Zoo Gaboon Vipers, plus an Aruba Island Rattlesnake that is so unbelievable it barely seems real.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ghlight=Toledo

OH I will talk herps all day if you let me. LOL.

Things I have picked up work for me but not others. So please, people that read this do not think this is the total right way for things. The best way is to train with a person in hots.

1) The first thing I always do before I work with any hot is I ask myself. Am I ready to deal with so and so hot. Am I focused. Some may laugh but this is the way I am. If I for any reason feel I can not work with it I do not. Most of the time it is me being sick or tired and I will not work with hots when I am sick or tired. I do not fear any snake I have. I respect them. Fear makes you shake and make fast but bad choices IMO. Respect keeps you calm and lets you make better choices.

2) Always have your tools. I use hooks not tongs. I do not like tongs. I do not like the way they feel for me. And I need my tools to be an extension of my hand. hook and tailing work great with 90% of my collection.

3) Caging has to be easy to get to. I mean nothing infront of the cages. And you must have room to work with said snake when they are out.

Stuff needed when working with hots

1) Hooks
2) 55 gallon trash can with a cut out in the lid and plexi glass glued so you can see into the can. This is a life safer IMO
3) Proto call books for every species you have. Use latin and all common names known. Why becuase some species get many common names but only one latin. Also include recent bites of that species and how them doctors handled it. List friends numbers and family numbers. A form to fill out if you are bit. On this form will be info like. When the bite happened. What you were doing when bite happened. How large the species is. Reactions to venom before you get to help. Ect. I will post a form soon for everyone.
4) Keeping things clean so that you have less health issues. this is important. Less health issues mean less time with hot out.
5) Not letting just anyone look at animals. I have them but you have to really know me to see them in person. Why. They are dangerous. And I do not want to put anyone at danger unless they trully understand. and do not expect me to get animals out when you are there. Everyone can see them in there cages there is no reason to get them out.
6) I keep better records of my hots then i do anything else. Why. Just incase of a bite. If I get bit by my boomslang that eats like a horse it maybe worse then getting bit by a boomer that is not eating so well.


Other stuff is not showing off. I love my hots but guess what it is not worth getting bit showing them off. Not many times will you see me touching snakes. Mangroves are different. I have been dealing with so many that I think I am one. It is nothing to me to get into a cage and get a Mang out like a cornsnake. I have pics of me holding them. But they rarely are seen.

I tell everyone that says "man you have hots you are gutsy" it is not gutsy. It is not elite to own them. I just chose to take my knowledge to the next level. Once you get past the venom it is just a snake. I never EVER look down on anyone for owning nonvenomous. I do not care if it is a checkered Garter. I think all snakes are cool as all out! With me owning a site and forum me owning hots was kinda blown up. I talk to some of the top hot keepers in the hobby. And when I am mentioned with them I feel honored. I really am just a breeder that is trying to do good for the hobby.

If there is any questions I can answer just ask. I will answer anything.

Absolutely excellent post Gary! I like your wisdom here and how you view these snakes not as a "cool" thing but with deep respect for them. A joy to read this post. :)

Gary, I think I've met you before. I'm fairly sure that I spoke with you about hots for a short while at the NE Ohio Herp Show at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. If I remember correctly, you were set up next to a guy with a table full of Southern Coppers and Cottonmouths. We spoke about Southern vs. Northern Copperheads, as well as Gaboons, BP's as a popular King Cobra food, and a slick looking Mojave x Western Diamondback that you had there (I think that is what it was). If you're the guy I'm thinking of, then Hello Again :cool:

that mangrove is awesome!! Do you keep any other Boiga?
Been looking for a nice young female mangrove for some time now.

Yep that was me!! Hey how you doing?

I will have my Boomslang there for the next show. NOT FOR SALE THOUGH lol.

I also may have some other goodies!

I'm doing quite allright :cool:

Ever sell that Mojave x Western? How about some pics if you've got 'em? That was quite a looker imho :gj:

btw, when is the next show you'll be set up at? I'll be sure to stop by and say hello. Might have to throw some cash your way :P