Holding Gaboon viper

[Tsanford]

I was browsing fauna when I came across this guy with photos of himself holding a baby gaboon viper in his bare hands and on his lap.

In my opinion that is just asking for trouble. I've talked with breeders of hots at the shows and most of them say they never physically handle any of them.

What do you think of this?

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=534398

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[tbowman]

I would imagine this ending up in the quarantine room.

I don't think anybody in their right mind would condone this. I would hope any venomous breeders that see that sort of thing would not sell to a person like that. Not to mention he's keeping it in an aquarium.

It is unfortunate that people like that are able to get ahold of venomous snakes so easily in some states, and very unfortunate that responsible keepers are going to have to pay the price.

That guy is a headline or a piece of legislation waiting to happen.

[M.P.C]

He dosent condone it, he says that no one should copy him for any reasons and that he has double checked with his local hospital and zoo about antivenom and both have it for the snake.

" people like that"... Do you know the guy, do you know his expierence with hots, or snakes in general for that matter. Is it a smart idea, of course not... but that dosent instantly make him one of those people, he was smart enough to double check about anti venom in more then one location and as for the aquarium... alot of people use them as a quarantene cage how do you know thats not what its being used for since the thread is about his new pickup.

[tbowman]

Yes he was smart enough to check up on antivenom before free handling a gaboon viper, sounds like he's got a real grasp on things. I'd really like to know what is being accomplished by doing this.

I can't think of a single respectable person that would do this for any reason. There is no reason to handle a venomous snake without the proper tools. There are rare instances when it's necessary for someone to put their hands on a venomous snake, but free handling, never.

These are the people who ruin it for everyone.

[John1982]

Yes, he warns people that he doesn't condone such actions.. Why is he sharing the pictures though, to what end? We all have our silly fancies and take calculated risks every day but what's the point of sharing pictures of such a thing? I personally think he's an idiot for posting the free handling pictures. You can show off the beauty and majesty of your new animal without putting stupid ideas into peoples' heads. I can almost guarantee some poor fool is going to see those pictures and try to emulate them.

[Tsanford]

Not to mention because it is a baby, and doesn't have control over its glands. If / when he gets bit, it could be one heck of a hit.

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[anicatgirl]

It is a beautiful snake though...

[KMG]

He dosent condone it, he says that no one should copy him for any reasons and that he has double checked with his local hospital and zoo about antivenom and both have it for the snake.

" people like that"... Do you know the guy, do you know his expierence with hots, or snakes in general for that matter. Is it a smart idea, of course not... but that dosent instantly make him one of those people, he was smart enough to double check about anti venom in more then one location and as for the aquarium... alot of people use them as a quarantene cage how do you know thats not what its being used for since the thread is about his new pickup.

Does it matter if the antivenom is at two different places if you do not have time to get to the second when the first is out or it is expired.

If you are going to take these kind of risk I think the antivenom needs to be in your house....no the room.....nooo, your pocket.


I love Gaboons and know they have a laid back personality compared to many hots but the keepers actions are not responsible for the hobby at all.

[tbowman]

Not to mention because it is a baby, and doesn't have control over its glands. If / when he gets bit, it could be one heck of a hit.

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Myth

[rlditmars]

Does it matter if the antivenom is at two different places if you do not have time to get to the second when the first is out or it is expired.

If you are going to take these kind of risk I think the antivenom needs to be in your house....no the room.....nooo, your pocket.

I'm of the opinion that this is just stupidity in action which is the most dangerous of circumstances. Personally I could care less if there is no antivenom nearby. Let Darwinian Theory play its rightful role and remove this individual from the gene pool; hopefully before he breeds.