![]() |
Back to Venomous Snakes Forum Forums Home Members Area
Venomous Snakes Forum
| Pages 1 2 3 Next |
| Member | Message | ||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Gaboon for a beginner?
everything for any sort of animal, some are easier to take care of, and some are harder. copper head or western green mamba? one is DEFINITELY easier than the other. I’ve had reitcs, red tails, tarantulas, scorpions and other things of that nature including many other snakes. I’ve never owed a hot but I am really considering it. Now I think I could handle a gaboon for a first(not literally of course) but I’ve heard many different things. When it comes to most animals I know what I’m doing, but as I say again I’ve never had nothing more than a copper head I’ve caught and kept for a few days and released again. I know the laws where I live, and know what I’m wanting to get into. I know all about the calling to see who would have a anti venom if I was to get bit, and what hospital to go to, the procedure for after I get bit(if I was too). I am a responsible animal keeper, I knew a hot isn’t a pet. It’s a animal I keep to look at, understand, and respect. I don’t want it to show off, play with, or try to "be cool". I absolutely love the look of the gaboons and rhinos, I am aware of venom toxicity, fang size, extremely fast strike speed, and how there attitude usually is. I just want some experienced hot keepers 2 cents, if you don’t know what your talking about, or keep something rear fanged PLEASE! it’s not quite the same as what I want to get into. Like I said right now I have a 14 month old male retic python, 3yr old BCI, and a Mexican red knee tarantula. So if I’m in a snake handling mood I can go to something other than a gaboon lol. Thank you, DJ Arlt |
||
| 03/05/08 05:11am |
|
||
|
JEFF QUARLES View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648624 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/05/08 07:37am |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: JEFF QUARLES In reference to Message Id: 1648696 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/05/08 09:35am |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Sully In reference to Message Id: 1648795 Gaboon for a beginner?
See I thought along the lines of, it’s a snake you keep in a cage, care for, feed, and clean the cage. I don’t have to wrestle with it or anything. you just wouldn’t want to get but by a gaboon, there not slim extremely fast snakes. You’ll try just as hard not getting bitten by anything else as you would with a gaboon(i would think so anyways) Wouldn’t the most dangerous part be having to move it out of the cage to clean it? Unless you think about having to remove an eyelid that’s stuck on, which a big ol’ gaboon head would be easier to get ahold of than most snakes. See people that really aren’t willing to help out, and give assistance don’t help at all. I’m not a ignorant 12 year old wanting to get a king cobra, I’m a experience reptile keeper asking a simple question, not asking weather you think it’s stupid or not. "a gaboon isn’t a beginner! it had strong venom and long fangs!!"--well hell guys I never planned on getting bit. I didn’t think "well i should get a hog nose because when I do get bit it wont be bad!’’ I know bites happen on accident, no one plans on it but if you have it as a beginner or a experienced keeper and get bit, the venom isn’t any less toxic. I know when you get bit, it’s YOUR FAULT! it’s something you have done to cause the snake to want to strike, I’ve had snakes and other reptiles for about 12 years or so, and I’ve only gotten one really good bite. I had a corn but that thing bit every time it could. Don’t give yourself a chance to get bit, and you wont. Simple as that isn’t it? So could you all just enlighten me on this subject. Because I really would like to get into hots. I have a full time job, money, room. You know, the basics for expanding a collection a little. Please don’t insult my intelligence and consider me ignorant. Because I am not! I just want a friendly conversation on hots, and a good introduction into this part of the herp hobby. Thank you, DJ Arlt |
||
| 03/05/08 10:27am |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648837 Gaboon for a beginner?
And sully I didn’t know you kept hots. DJ |
||
| 03/05/08 10:32am |
|
||
|
Herpsarelife View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648845 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/05/08 11:55am |
|
||
|
JEFF QUARLES View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648845 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/05/08 11:57am |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648845 Gaboon for a beginner?
But even I know a gaboon is a terrible choice for a first hot( and if you had done much research at all, you should know this too ) I’m not trying to condescend, it just doesnt seem you have done much research AT ALL on the matter. As for what might be a good first hot ( I’m gonna leave out rear fangs, even though I usually suggest them before getting anything truly hot ) copperheads, pygmy rattlesnakes, even cottonmouths can be considered decent first hots. I’ve even heard of naja pallida being a decent first hot( pretty slow strikers compares to most vipers, but that doesnt make it any safer ) if you don’t mind the face mask, but since its an exotic species AV for it could be hard to come by, I personally would not suggest any cobra as a first hot though. Some people DO consider mangrove snakes ’’hot’’, I’ve read of some pretty nasty reactions from their bites. People here who actually have experience can tell you more about anything more detailed, as I do not feel I am qualified to say anything more on the subject. |
||
| 03/05/08 12:05pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: JEFF QUARLES In reference to Message Id: 1648919 Gaboon for a beginner?
I’ve been interested in a mangrove snake before, those are REALLY hot though are they? I believe I seen one at a local reptile show(venomous free show) so I know it’s not deadly, unless allergic I would suppose. But how are they in terms of feeding reponses, and temperment? I’d hate to have to force feed anysort of snake, the only snakes I’ve ever had a real problem with were balls and corns, I never had luck with what everone told me to get at first so i jumped into a common boa, and my knowledge grew with the snake. then from there a retic! It was all great untill time to house a 7 foot reitc but i got it taken care of. Thanks once again for the information and taking the time to listen to me, and heres some pictures for you time. DJ |
||
| 03/05/08 12:09pm |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648932 Gaboon for a beginner?
the methods of hooking a gaboon is much different from a copperhead too... since gaboons are so much larger, heavy bodies snakes, you must use two hooks ( on an adult ) in order to support the snakes weight, without hurting the snake, plus toxcicity, how freaking fast they strike, and how they are capable of striking. they are capable of striking you no matter where you are ( if you are ever in range of the strike ) even if you are 180 degree behind their head they can get you! I’d definetly suggest a mangrove snake as a first step towards hots, I know a guy who sells nice looking, healthy specimens, pm if you are interested. p.s. a mangrove will most likely be my first step towards hots, when I have my own place. |
||
| 03/05/08 12:33pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Sully In reference to Message Id: 1648955 Gaboon for a beginner?
Thank you, DJ |
||
| 03/05/08 12:46pm |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648968 Gaboon for a beginner?
As for mangroves feeding, all of my buddies who keep them have had very few problems with feeding. when its night time they will pretty much latch onto anything-watch out. the guy I reccomended will give you a rundown of their care, and make sure you know the deal before he sells one to you. good luck. |
||
| 03/05/08 12:54pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Sully In reference to Message Id: 1648974 Gaboon for a beginner?
But thanks a lot DJ |
||
| 03/05/08 12:58pm |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648976 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/05/08 01:09pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Sully In reference to Message Id: 1648980 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/05/08 04:51pm |
|
||
|
FordGT891 View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1649265 Gaboon for a beginner?
On a side note, I will never have a gaboon in my house. ever. They scare the living crap out of me. I don’t know why, but they do. I think they are beautiful, and I love to see them through glass, but I could not ever work with one. There are a few species that scare the crap out of me, and the Gaboon is one of them. I will not keep any animal that I can’t be at ease with working with and have a degree of confidience while still giving the animal the full respect that it deserves. Sorry to go on, feeling wordy today. |
||
| 03/05/08 06:41pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: FordGT891 In reference to Message Id: 1649452 Gaboon for a beginner?
It’s just one of those things, I have to learn on my own and take advice from who I see fit. DJ |
||
| 03/05/08 08:13pm |
|
||
|
FishMich View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1649580 Gaboon for a beginner?
~bill sorry for the choppy writing, just tryin to keep it short. |
||
| 03/05/08 09:42pm |
|
||
|
Jparker1167 View Profile |
Message To: FishMich In reference to Message Id: 1649737 Gaboon for a beginner?
if you really want to keep venomous then take advise from experienced keepers start with a copperhead or a small rattler then work up to a gabby, i know a guy that was treating a rhino viper for a mouth injury, hes kept venomous along time and it happend to get a fang out and get his right hand pointer finger and pulled it in its mouth holding on for about 15 seconds, he was in a coma for awhile and amputated that finger also the hospital bill was $286,000 thats alot of money to pay for a mistake. gaboons are great snakes amazing color and for the most part pretty calm my male is a nut case and likes to shot out of the cage on the floor and its the experience with venomous that stops you from trying to catch it. good luck with what ever you do and if you have more questions ask them before you get something not after lol |
||
| 03/06/08 01:29am |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Jparker1167 In reference to Message Id: 1649949 Gaboon for a beginner?
That’s it I’m getting a king cobra :P lol no but I do start volunteering at my local zoo next week, so maybe I can get some experience with some of there venomous snakes first, before considering my own. It’s just a think if I’m at a venomous expo and see a baby gabby sitting there for 100 bucks, I’ll forget everything I’ve heard lol. It will be heard getting into the habit of not wanting to pick up my snakes and handle it, let it run around. And I’m sure everyone on here is against venomids right? lol stupid question I’m sure. I seen a whole website dedicated to that sort of thing, to me that’s taking away one of the things that makes the snake special. I was actually watching TV last night and noticed Robbie Keszey getting a bite from a gaboon, because it’s fang went thru the bottom of it’s mouth, into his finger. Luckily it was a dry bite! but I thought"that’s some $hit that would happen to me. But I always thought you were supposed to be really careful in not letting the snake bite itself? Well guys I’m off for a while to work. Thanks for all the advice and criticism, and not completely bashing me into a hole in the ground. DJ |
||
| 03/06/08 07:21am |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1650045 Gaboon for a beginner?
now I ask you, is that really worth it? or is it worth it to start out small ( like a copperhead ) then work your way up, building the skill, knowledge and confidence it takes to work with any large bitis. and still you could get bit, working with venomous snakes is very unforgiving. as for volenteer work at a zoo, you probably wont get ANY work with hots there. Here at the denver zoo the whole first year of volenteering is spent with customer service. When I spoke with them about me possibly working with the hots-after ’’x’’ amount of volenteering there, and once I would be over 18 ( as I am now only 17 ) they said it would be an impossibility. and there are NO other places for me to get any sort of mentoring in this state. the only person in this state ( privately ) who can own venomous snakes is the owner of bushmaster reptiles., and he does know mentoring. I’m still trying to figure out how i plan to keep hots here- legally, might not be do-able. hopefully thats not the case where you live though :) seek a mentor though. |
||
| 03/06/08 11:02am |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Sully In reference to Message Id: 1650153 Gaboon for a beginner?
I like to think you all worry about me that much not to get one, because I know I have the knowledge to care for that kind of snake. When it comes to owning, a snake is a snake. When it comes to handling that’s where the difference is. If you think I want to see if it’s going to eat food out of my hand, or come up and lick my face your sadly mistaken!! I do that with my other snakes and I would never cheat on them ;) But I wasn’t on my way to buy one right now, I don’t know if I made it sound as such. I was just getting ready for sometime in the future, when I planned on getting another snake, I just spent about 600 on the two snakes I have now. But thanks everyone for you help once more. Thanks, DJ |
||
| 03/06/08 01:23pm |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1650250 Gaboon for a beginner?
I was NOT talking to you like you are an idiot, I was just saying how huge the difference is between what your first snake is, and what your first HOT snake is. but again, if you REALLY think its no big deal to get a gaboon as a first, no one here is gonna be able to save you from your own stupidity. |
||
| 03/06/08 01:39pm |
|
||
|
Jparker1167 View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1650250 Gaboon for a beginner?
there was a fire fighter in ohio that got bit by a 20" rhino viper the night he got it. he died.. another story i remember was a person getting a cobra and getting it home when they opened the box and the snake shot out and tried to bite them they got it back in the box and took it outside and dumped gasoline on it and caught it on fire because they where afriad of the snake. you dont want to get in over your head and get something that you will be afraid of. where are you from dj ? |
||
| 03/06/08 01:40pm |
|
||
|
Jparker1167 View Profile |
Message To: Jparker1167 In reference to Message Id: 1650271 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/06/08 01:42pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Jparker1167 In reference to Message Id: 1650275 Gaboon for a beginner?
You just seem like one of the keepers, who thinks there better than the average herp keeper. Please take time to come down from your throne, and get to know someone before saying absurd things about them. I decided not to get a gaboon, so everyone stop worrying so much please! I mean I might still get one eventually, but not as a first. I though you could tell that from the conversations I’ve been having with all these nice people. Everyone just calm down and don’t’ be so quick to jump for the throat, no reason to kill here. Alrighty now, lets be friendly now. I’m not getting a gaboon, it MAY be a little out of my league right this second. When I do come to a decision and am ready to get my first hot, I’ll be sure to come back here. I’m sure all of you will kindly remember me, and will help me in my further search. Thanks everyone DJ |
||
| 03/06/08 02:04pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1650289 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/06/08 02:05pm |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1650289 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/06/08 02:07pm |
|
||
|
Dj arlt View Profile |
Message To: Sully In reference to Message Id: 1650291 Gaboon for a beginner?
And are you really just wondering out of curiosity? I’m paranoid now. |
||
| 03/06/08 02:28pm |
|
||
|
Sully View Profile |
Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1650307 Gaboon for a beginner?
|
||
| 03/06/08 02:31pm |
|
| Pages 1 2 3 Next |