Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's your favorite viper? Just taking a pulse on your opinions of the most desirable species. For the record I'm going with nasicornis. Try to change my mind!

Well no argument there River Jacks are awesome. It's really hard for me to play favorites. I like so many!!

Al

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You can't enjoy your collection if it kills you.

Wow that one is really red! I like the more turquoise ones as well. How much does their color change as they mature? I've noticed some are less colorful than others...

Stays small, not very active, and BRIGHT YELLOW! what more do ya need?

Schlegeli are my third, after Wagleri!

I wish I could post pics because if I could, i think all would be in agreement....LACHESIS (BUSHMASTERS). We just acquired a young male (over 6') and this is the most incredible snake I have ever worked with. As far as close seconds: nasicornis, all of the Atheris, and I would be an idiot if I didn't mention just about any Crotaline (I realize the first and last are pitvipers but you weren't specific so these are mine). I enjoy all of them.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

Agreed, yours are impressive choices. But after more consideration, here are my top 3:

1.)Rhino
2.)Wagler's
3.)Eyelash

I'm a sucker for color and/or horns! And isn't it amazing how many different colors and patterns these three come in? Blows my mind...

1) bushmaster(Specifically, Lachesis acrochorda)
2) black-speckled palm pitviper(Bothriechis nigroviridis)....these snakes surprisingly show a lot of personality and alertness
3) Eastern massasuaga (Sistrurus c. catenatus).

Honorable mentions: Side-striped palm viper, timber rattlesnake.

matabuey.com

The terciopelo (Bothrops asper)....these are impressive at 7 1/2' ! It seems that the more you work with certain species and learn that most of the myths about them are exaggerated, you become attached to them. The terciopelo is one species, that although, easily excitable, is not as much of a terror to deal with as you normally read.

Obviously, they cause a lot of bites in the tropics, but thats due to their numbers, locals stepping right on them and their excellent camouflage. BUT, if left unprovoked, or handled with care and gentleness, they are no less difficult to deal with than most rattlesnakes. THat being said....The Austin Stevens TV approach is NOT the way to deal with them.

Matt Harris not listing a Bothrops sp. as one of his favorites????

Holy Cow...heep big pit viper!!

I found myself routing for the asper during that Austin Stevens episode.

Could not believe he said he was lost and had not clus where they were...they can't afford a GPS?? BS!!!

Al
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You can't enjoy your collection if it kills you.

i don't own any vipers, but based purely on aesthetic appeal i'd have to say eyelash or rhino vipers are my favorites. breathtaking animals!
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0.0.1 suspected female cornsnake
1.1.0 African giant millipedes
0.0.2 Texas desert millipedes
0.2.0 Dalmatians
0.2.0 Cats
0.1.0 Little sister

Noticed you have a couple Texas giant millipedes...me too! I've had them for several months, a couple orange ones and a black one. Did you find them out in West Texas? I always see them while snake hunting at night. They are kinda cool...hardy too.

My favorites:

1) Crotalus durissus (maybe C. d. collilineatus)
2) Bothrops spp. (maybe B. asper)
3) Vipera latastei gaditana

Has to be Wags. Looks charm and personality...all wrapped up in a non lethal, but bad-ass lookin snake!

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Frank...

Yeah... wags are cool!!

Al
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You can't enjoy your collection if it kills you.

Bitis g. rhinoceros,sucka.to bad there very rare in the wild.

Zach
Link

1.) Atheris cerataphora

2.) Atheris hispida

3.) Trimeresurus trigonocephalus