Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just thought I'd post a pic. I told Don I had zero experience with "flighty" snakes like mambas. Some of you may recognize this big boy. The previous owner draped this snake around him like a boa! Tom Crutchfield has pictures of this in a photo album called "Dont Ever Do This" LOL. After watching Don work with the snake, I decided I was ready to try myself. Honestly I was a little nervous. The sheer size of this animal coupled with my inexperience made it hard for me to pick him up in the air. Thankfully I know my limitations and didnt do anything stupid.
It was a great learning experience and I look forward to working with these animals more one day.

-----
1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old

So bud got rid of him .That is most likely not a good representaion of a wild mamba.That one is very calm but a awesome snake.I wish I had him.
-----
Archie Bottoms

I think Bobby Neal has handled that snake as well Archie.
You won't catch me with a snake like that dangling around my shoulders!
I'm too skeered!

Randal Berry

I would not put any deadly snake around my shoulder,That is just asking for jesus.
-----
Archie Bottoms

Bud pulled that out with me standing next to him and put it around his neck. I started to move away but froze when the mamba stuck his head out toward me and very close, so close I almost had to change my pants. When the snake turned away from me I put some distance between it and me. It is the NICEST BLACK MAMBA I'VE EVER OWNED OR SEEN AND ALSO THE LARGEST. I didn't measure it but I know it's well over 10' long..Don it looks really great and I'm glad he has a good home...
-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Tom were you aware of any immunity project the previous owner was working on? I guess it would explain his cavalier handling of a deadly snake.
As calm and gentle as that ELEVEN foot mamba seemed, I was very careful as I handled him. Seeing the pictures I would have liked to "choke up" more on the tail. I'm sure next time I will have a little more experience and a little more cojones to work a little closer.
-----
1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old

I think almost every one is aware of The si that snake was involved in only now this thread will be deleted once that taboo subject is mentioned.That to me is one scary mamba mostly beacuse its is a mamba but one could be tricked in to a false sense of safty as it seems tame.I would never trust an animal such as that and your grip was fine.Too close can be real dead.You did a good job you lived.
-----
Archie Bottoms

While I haven't personally handled a polylepis, I've seen it done many times. One thing you want to avoid is leaving too much of its prehensile tail free to wrap around your hand/wrist, possibly teeing itself up for a strike. Bet it gave you chills, huh? Congratulations.

Bill Huseth
-----
Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

First be carefull
I trained them to bite me as they grew up.
knowing they could not kill me they calm down!
become tame since you are no threat to them.
it seems to work.
I suspect the mamba being very smart might figure it out eventualy so be carefull and be ready.
this warning goes ouit to any of the new owners of my mambas.
as nobody but TIM F or me could laugh off a black mamba bite.
thus training a black in such a manner.
a mistake could be fatal.
Bud
-----
Bud

Very impressive mamba. Out of curiosity, how old is he? -Jamie

He was a hatchling I got at the first daytona hot show.
Inside a plastic deli cup.
He liked eating out of my hand and would slide into my arms.
loved to be hand shed.
truely a friend even as he grew to be giant.
I am glad he has a good home and people take him outside.

-----
Bud

I love your response. It seems poetic.
First I want everyone to know that I have no intention of buying any of the species of mambas. Although they are completely awesome animals, my level of experience with them is woefully inadequate and I like living. Even if survived the envenomation from an accident, I might not survive the hospital bills.
With that said I am very fascinated with your experiences.
-----
1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old

I just have to say "Holy Cow" Black Mambas are the scarriest snake on earth ! But awesome to see.

-----
Jeff Davis
1.0 Norm? Royal Python(Rescue)
1.0 Albino Ball Python (high contrast)
2.0 Shi Tzus
1.0 Pug
0.1 Lovely Wife

How are you, Budster? Obviously you're not much worried about "prehensile tail-wrapping" with your D. poly draped around your neck. That snake looks fat and happy, pretty much like all of yours.
-----
Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

Hello Bill!
hope all is well.
good to hear from you.
B
-----
Bud

Other than my paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle, I'm doing good, man. Hope you are, too.
-----
Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

Yes. Bud has been involved in immunizing himself for many years. I personally saw several juvenile Cape Cobras bite him with no apparent effects that I could see. Certainly he has no fear of any elapid bite and he has told me he is immune. As for me I'm not and while I'm quite experienced in handling large Elapids even today I'm on high alert when dealing with a snake such as the huge Mamba. I didn't have him very long but here he NEVER once even seemed to be nervous when being moved. The beautiful lg. Cape Cobras and the Water Cobras also were extremely calm and laid back. It was obvious to me that Bud loved the snakes and they appeared to at least like him. Certainly he took excellent care of them and it pleases me to see someone like him with the creatures he loves interacting....
-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I do not think that self immunization is a very bad idea if one is dealing with highly neurotoxic elapids. It is actually something to consider. Of course there are dangers, yada yada, I know but still.
-----
We are the best GALATASARAY

I don't know exactly what Bud did to immunize himself but obviously it worked. I've seen a lot of wannabe's claim they do or have but Bud is the real thing. Not only is he a good friend but I really respect him for the excellent care his snakes had in his care. As I get older this becomes more important to me than ever before....

-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Tom I know pritty much exactly how it was done.I am friends with his partner in crime and they both can do mambas with out a problem any of them.Water cobras as well and most elapids.The pitvipers are more of a problem.I was involved for a bit and stopped as I was injured in a fall.It can be done and there is some sound reasoning behind the idea of it.Altho it has many dangers involved.Sometimes I think the dangers are out weighed by the solid beifit if done right.
-----
Archie Bottoms

Is Randal injecting himself with Boulengerina venom? Just a joke Randal but if you ever got bit by one you might have wished you had...LOL
-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I think he uses jack black instead.
-----
Archie Bottoms

Tom, naw, those guy's are puppy-dog tame. I just drape them around my neck while cleaning their cages. Of course their mouths are sewn together with surgical, non-allergenic suture.(which makes it hard to feed them on a regular basis) but, so far so good. They haven't lost a ton of weight yet!