Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am very interested in getting a Gaboon Viper for a showcase snake in my new house. Ever since I went to the chicago nationals show and saw one in person I have wanted one. It was the most beautiful showcase snake I have ever seen (of course everyones opinion is different). My question is if theres any way to "prepare" myself for a hot snake. I am not a novice as I own burms and bloods, but am definitely a little nervous at getting an animal that could possibly kill me with a wrong move. The local pet store scared me out of getting a venemous snake when I talked to them months ago but I just can't get that Gaboon Viper out of my head that I saw at the chicago show (plus my local pet stores have been dead wrong on many other things I went to them for advice on). I already own tongs for my burms, so I am good at using those but like I said I am curious if maybe theres a better first hot snake to get or if theres any way of preparing myself since I have never handled a venemous snake and quite frankly am a little skiddish about it. I was at first a little afraid to handle giant burms and I was told to raise one first to get a feel for it, which worked perfectly for me. So I think my fear of handling a venemous snake will subside after doing it a couple of times but I would appreciate any tips out there. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. -Sam

Sam, you may have seen the gaboon viper that we had on display at the NARBC in Tinley Park, IL...she's an impressive beast. First, if you are a resident of IL you cannot own a venomous snake;end of story. If you live in a state that does allow the keeping of a venomous snake, a gaboon viper is NOT the best choice for a first time hot. First, I am assuming that you are not planning on purchasing/keeping your own supply of antivenin thus putting local hospitals and most likely zoos in a very precarious situation should you get bit. Your concerns are valid and if you have those types of concerns, which are well warranted, you would be MUCH better off not considering a venomous reptile....there are so many cool species of non venomous herps that the average person would be well advised to look at those options. Just my .02.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>I am very interested in getting a Gaboon Viper for a showcase snake in my new house. Ever since I went to the chicago nationals show and saw one in person I have wanted one. It was the most beautiful showcase snake I have ever seen (of course everyones opinion is different). My question is if theres any way to "prepare" myself for a hot snake. I am not a novice as I own burms and bloods, but am definitely a little nervous at getting an animal that could possibly kill me with a wrong move. The local pet store scared me out of getting a venemous snake when I talked to them months ago but I just can't get that Gaboon Viper out of my head that I saw at the chicago show (plus my local pet stores have been dead wrong on many other things I went to them for advice on). I already own tongs for my burms, so I am good at using those but like I said I am curious if maybe theres a better first hot snake to get or if theres any way of preparing myself since I have never handled a venemous snake and quite frankly am a little skiddish about it. I was at first a little afraid to handle giant burms and I was told to raise one first to get a feel for it, which worked perfectly for me. So I think my fear of handling a venemous snake will subside after doing it a couple of times but I would appreciate any tips out there. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. -Sam
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Rob brings up some superb points and is one of the most respected people on this topic.

To offer a slightly different point of view however... I for one do believe, if there is a will, there is a way. If you live where hots are illegal, you'll basically need a zoopermit, which might be more than you're willing to work for.

As for the dangerous snake itself, raising one from a baby won't work as it did for burms, simple because a young gaboon can hurt you just as gravely.

My suggestion; find a mentor who keeps this species. Work with theirs until both of you are confident you are ready. (Remember, in some states any jo-blow can own a hot, so choose your mentor wisely). Your mentor should have his/her own antivenom; if they live close, perhaps you could work something out to cover both of you for mishaps.

Good luck, and don't rush. Don't plan on getting one withen the year if you're just starting thinking about a hot.

Ian

Ian, in IL there is not a "zoopermit" available to the public. Rob was correct when he stated "end of story" on being able to keep a Gaboon as a "pet."

A zoo requires a board and is not something an everyday person can open up. This is basically to stop people from trying to open a "half wit" reptile exhibit and call it a zoo.

HI, having worked with these in the past I have to tell you that looks are decieving, this animal can strike side to side and even back over itself with lightining speed. Not to mention 2 inch fangs. I highly recommend you get some hands on time with these before you get one, I went on a removal of a gaboon 3 years ago here in Calif at the home of a zookeeper who got bit and died as a result. Was in Fountain Valley if you want to do a Nexus search. I caught the snake and DFG insisted it be destroyed before I could send it to someone, very sad. So please do yourself and our hobby a solid and get some hands on time first. Just my opinion, and if you do get one down the road, enjoy it.

www.madprogrammer.com/snakes/gaboonstrike/

Thank you all for your help. I live in Minnesota which does not have any bans on hots just to let you all know. I guess my next question would be if anyone out there lives in the Minneapolis area and would be willing to be a mentor...? I have actually never seen a hot here in Mn (and have been to every reptile store in the cities area), and so I searched it after the Chicago show and found out theres no bans. It surprises me I haven't seen any hots around since there is no ban. I am pretty set on getting one since its all I have thought about for 8 months now since seeing one in person, but I will most definitely take my time. I'm not a careless herp owner, I gradually worked my way to the burms through ball pythons and then bloods but like I said its hard to "work your way into" a hot. Thanks again for all the advice and if anyone knows a good mentor in the Minneapolis area I would greatly appreciate it! -Sam

A little searching turns up a few newspaper articles that say Minnesota bans private possession of venomous, but I can't find anything to substantiate that. However, Minneapolis and many other major MN cities have ordinances against "dangerous animals"... The ordinance is not very clear, so I can't say what's covered. Sounds like a few calls to the MN DNR and your local authorities are in order make sure...

Sam, there are most definitely bans on hots in many Minnesota cities. Last time I checked (some time ago), the only two places in the Twin Cities area allowing venomous are Coon Rapids and White Bear Lake. The state law says "Native venomous, permit required. Exotic venomous, permit not required". BUT, each county and/or city can pass regulations as they see fit.
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Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

I will make some phone calls in the next few days to check. I did know that there was a ban on native venemous but I saw that there was no permit required for non native and I took that as an "ok". I should know better, because I forgot that in maple grove pet snakes in general are banned (if you can believe that). I live in St Michael which is a little more rural than the rest of the suburbs so I have that going for me. I'll get back after some phone calls. Thanks for the info

"My question is if theres any way to "prepare" myself for a hot snake."

Like just about everyone else said, mentors are indeed a great idea, but its not a realistic option for everyone. I wonder how many hot keepers on this forum first gained experience with a mentor. And by which I mean a person to person, hands-on display type experience. I sure didn't. I TALKED to a few other keepers on the phone which hardly helps any and just read every book on venOmous snakes I could find in the library. Also, the internet has among the best handling and care info available, if you take the two minutes required to do a google search.

"The local pet store scared me out of getting a venemous snake when I talked to them months ago but I just can't get that Gaboon Viper out of my head that I saw at the chicago show (plus my local pet stores have been dead wrong on many other things I went to them for advice on)."

If your pet store sold Gaboon Vipers, they would have a completely different opinion. It's like going up to a fruit stand and asking for a steak. Pet stores are about the last place I'd go for pet advice. Most kill more reptiles with neglect than they actually sell.

"I already own tongs for my burms, so I am good at using those but like I said I am curious if maybe theres a better first hot snake to get or if theres any way of preparing myself since I have never handled a venemous snake and quite frankly am a little skiddish about it."

I own a set of fancy and expensive blue tongs and have never used them, they only upset and anger the snake, encouraging it to become defensive and bite. Better off with a couple of sturdy snake hooks, trap boxes, cage dividers, shields, etc. Also, there are literally dozens of better first hot snakes to consider. Gaboons are usually so docile, except when feeding - which is when a lot of bites happen, that they might give you a false sense of security.

"So I think my fear of handling a venemous snake will subside after doing it a couple of times but I would appreciate any tips out there."

I sure hope the fear doesn't ever subside, that's the only thing keeping you safe when encountering genuine danger. If you wanna see the people who overcame their fear of venOmous reptiles, just go to any given venOmous reptile expo and look for the guys with missing fingers and mangled hands.

This whole mentor thing is so over-rated. If you need to remove eye caps or something like that, maybe then you could use a mentor or someone experienced could show you how to handle it for yourself the next time. These things are going to happen and you will need to handle them, no matter what anyone says. You have never kept a mangrove snake or a moccasin? Maybe just forget about it. Get a venomoid. Check out a nice display with an Emerald Tree Boa and obsess about that instead. My advice is just don’t even get a Gaboon, they are just really deadly. If you are going to do it anyway, then so be it. Just don’t get bit. Duh, don’t get bit! Sounds so simple and it is. It’s just a snake when you get down to it.

Be SUPER careful if you do get one. They will lull you into a false sense of security with their lazy, slow moving ways, but these snakes are incredibly fast and agile!!!

Good luck

nothing wrong with that