Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read a post in here somewhere saying something along the lines of 'I know they're not held in high esteem and I can see why' or something close to that. I was wondering what that means? I'll try to find the post again.

Well, puff adders not being held in high esteem would seem to be a matter of opinion, don't you think? I personally love them (though I don't have any), and know plenty of people who keep and love them as well.

Some people may not like the fact that they are VERY dangerous animals, with a strike speed only matched by their cousins the gaboon vipers, and a very nasty, very deadly venom (along with huge fangs, large venom delivery). Some specimens can be a real pain in the arse to work with.

I'm sure there are people that "don't hold puffs in high regard", but rest assured, there are plenty of others that certainly do, me included

I love my Puff! You always know where you stand with her, unlike her cousin the Gabbys & Rhinos that sit there quitely till you made that mistake...WHACK!! Mine will even drink from a hand held hose and assume a "passive" posture. Keep in mind I don't forget for a Nanosecond that she would chomp me if I got too close. Below she just finished drinking and is passive.

Cheers!
Al

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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

Here she is in a not so friendly mood...

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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

On the viper forum I posted pics of two puff adders I got last year and noted --
"I know it isn't a species held in general high esteem, and I can see valid points to that, but it always comes down to individual preference. "
Psylocibe raises some of the "valid points" above. Something else that comes to mind for me is the extreme variability in size and coloration. The first pair I had never got over 3' long and were a beautiful high yellow. I've seen ones that were black & gold, high yellow with dark chevrons, and heard about ones that have stark white, silver, and black patterns. A friend tells me he imported 4 approx 30 years ago and 2 of them were albino!! But what I generally see is a brownish snake that will grow large, with an appetite to match, and is just death waiting for a chance to strike.
I hope this gives a fuller view of what I meant. Since I have four of them I obviously do like them.
I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, but am glad to know that people do read and think about what's posted here.
This is a photo of a different one than I posted before.

Who you been talking too?

A puff has 10 times the personality of a rhino or gaboon. A puff moves about all the time and tells you with a grin when it is happy or sad.

They make up for their lack the color and a horn with such wonderful tempers.

Dan

Dan, that puff is absolutely stunning; what's the background of it? I, agree, puffs are fanstastic animals and one of our most impressive display animals. Nothing like a 6' puff blowing a little steam off for the visitors while on display! We love her and she definitely has personality.

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

>>Who you been talking too?
>>
>>A puff has 10 times the personality of a rhino or gaboon. A puff moves about all the time and tells you with a grin when it is happy or sad.
>>
>>They make up for their lack the color and a horn with such wonderful tempers.
>>
>>Dan
>>
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I'm definitely glad that people have jumped to the puff adder's defense, even when there wasn't an attack in the first place. I'd like to see more photos of nice puffs. If anyone has photos or info on ones that are black & white, or black and silver, PLEASE, either post them or email me with them! Here's a pic of the one that I have that is closest to that. Thanks, Andy

there are people out there that still love to keep the "common" animals....Puffs are one of my favorite vens, and when I live in an area where it is legl to do so, I'm certainly going to pick one up (not literally of course!!!). I know that the trend right now is towards "higher end" animals, but to me you just can't beat some of the more common species for enjoyment of keeping...

Don't get me wrong....I love gabbies and rhinos and all that stuff too, but what someone sees as a drab snake I see as a beautifully patterned animal. Oh well....to each there own I suppose!

-AzAtrox

Rhino's are also neat critters, except they need a little motivation to move once and a while.

Dan

I kinda of figured as much. It seems if it's not ghost or patternless or something it's not held in high esteem no matter what it is. That's for a different forum though. Thanks again guys.