Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Among venomous collectors, what snake is considered to be THE super snake? I was thinking about that over the weekend, and I figure it's the king cobra, though I can think of several others that also have a mystique about them: black mamba, bushmaster, taipan and brown snake, to name but a few. So just what is the most sought after venomous snake among collectors?

RP

Well, you're gonna get many answers because each person has their individual interests, but for me in terms of which snake do I want to see in the wild, is without a doubt, the black-headed bushmaster. The secrecy of these snakes, as well as rarity, makes it a real crown jewel to find. They have a regality about them that rivals the king cobra, not to mention, every move they make is as calculated, except that they have that little "smirk" that gives them the appearance of saying "Go ahead, I dare you!"

Our next forray after them begins the last week in May....

MCH

Worldwide, I have to agree with my good friend, Matt! But in this country seeing a wild eastern diamondback has got to be the ultimate!

Brad Chambers

"but for me in terms of which snake do I want to see in the wild, is without a doubt, the black-headed bushmaster."

Only one month away, Matt. And I gotta feeling.

For me, I have to say b. insularis, or c. willardi.

For me, it's the inland taipan, mainly because it's the most venmous, but I guess partly because it's so rare in collections.

If kings were as rare and I hadn't already worked with them, they might well be my number one choice (fantasy).

I am fortunate to work with mine:
1) Bushmasters (I work with stenophrys but Matt is right, the black heads reign supreme with me)
2) King Cobra...they've been my favorite since I was a kid and now that I work with them, they still are.
Aside from these two, rattlesnakes are still tops...any species but I particularly enjoy eastern massasaugas, black tails, timbers and tigers.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Among venomous collectors, what snake is considered to be THE super snake? I was thinking about that over the weekend, and I figure it's the king cobra, though I can think of several others that also have a mystique about them: black mamba, bushmaster, taipan and brown snake, to name but a few. So just what is the most sought after venomous snake among collectors?
>>
>>RP
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Hmm, for me, it would have to be between a myriad of different Australian elapids; but a pretty close tie between the coastal taipan and red-bellied black at the top of the roster. I realize that some people find them rather typical for elapids, but to me, there's just something special about the Aussies (and that holds true for much of Australia's fauna).
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

I'm holding out for a Leusistic atrox! In reality, an Eastern Massasauga would work.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

I couldn't agree more. Don't forget to add the tiger to that list.

I'll also put in a vote for the black head bushmaster. Great looking snake.
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It's just like the story of the grasshopper and the octopus. All year long the grasshopper stored up acorns for winter, while the octopus mooched off his girlfriend and watched tv. And then the winter came, and the grasshopper died, and the octopus stole all his acorns, and he got a race car. Is any of this sinking in?

For me, having worked with a wide variety of cobras etc, I have to say doing rescue and relocation here in Calif has given me a new found respect for the c.v. helleri, attitude for days and an increasingly potent venom in a fiar sized package. So I am on the side of my native helleri.

Personally, I prefer scutulatus. I have yet to come across a helleri with an attitude out here (Lancaster), but here's hoping for this season!
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It's just like the story of the grasshopper and the octopus. All year long the grasshopper stored up acorns for winter, while the octopus mooched off his girlfriend and watched tv. And then the winter came, and the grasshopper died, and the octopus stole all his acorns, and he got a race car. Is any of this sinking in?

n/p

How long ago was the specimen of Crotalus lannomi found? And have there been any more "real" attempts to find more? (I'm assuming that only the dead body of the one is still all that is on record).

And to answer the original the question, I've always been a huge sucker for the Hyde Co. reds. I'd love to see one in the wild.

-Will

for me,it would have to be Atheris desaixi. I've been looking for one so long now i can't believe i'm still tring.

I would have to say 1) King Cobra 2) Bushmaster 3) Rattlesnakes. I can't imagine anything cooler than working with a King......more than likely I never will but there is just something about their size, scalation and eyes that do it for me.

Oh no, no.
The most sought after super snake in my opinion would have to be:
Zhaoermia mangshanensis, or the chinese bushmaster!
They were discovered/described in 1990. Only found on Mt. Mang, China.

Incredible coloration,(and I mean incredible) a pit viper that is an egg layer, can reach 8' in lenght, and has the ability to "spit" it's venom!

This snake easily blows other snakes away! LOL!

Randal

Fea's Viper is another candidate.

Although there's more rare, and more colourfull, and even more potent venomous snakes out there, my vote is still with ophiophagus hannah. It truely is the king in my books.

Ian

Gold's Tree Cobra Psuedohaje goldii is my most sought after at this point.
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It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com

The "Formula 1" as far as venomous serpents go...at least in terms of speed and dexterity...plus the fact that they are pretty rare in captivity adds to the allure of working with them.

I maintained a couple back in the early seventies. They are like a cross between a cobra & a black mamba with his tail caught in a rat trap. Fastest snake I've seen. They may be difficult to get onto a rodent diet. Mine ate Ranid frogs.

~~Greg~~

Robert, while I agree with Matt that a black-headed bushmaster would be an utterly fantastic snake to own, I'll go with the king cobra. The head scalation and that terrifying (in a good way) round eye just knock my socks off.
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Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

I think it would be the Fea's viper for me. They are just so cool looking with that odd colored head. Also the fact that you never see them anywhere and there is so much mystery about them.

That's just my opinion.

Hi guys

I would surely say some endangered old world Vipera such as Vipera bornmuelleri, Vipera bulgardaghica and Vipera latiffi and Vipera albizona. Since I've not been able to work with venomous (I'm from Portugal, SW EUROPE) a Vipera latastei would surely fulfil my dreams.

As for more tropical species I would say Parias mcgregori (yellow and white), Protobothrops wiroti or Zhaoermia mangshanensis and OF COURSE all the dwarf Bitis.

Yeah I'm a sucker for vipers

Cheers

I would like one of these in my collection !! LOL

Al

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Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Pakistani Russell's Viper. Absolutley beautiful and deadly to the core. Kevin Fisher