Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In a couple of weeks, a new friend of mine will be showing me the ropes when it comes to keeping venomous snakes. After a few weeks of learning, the plan is to buy a death adder.

But - that isn't rock solid yet. My options include black snakes, collett's snakes, death adders, etc - virtually anything except taipans, tiger snakes and brown snakes that is available in Australia.

I have seeked the advice of four or five of the top herpers in Australia, and been told that an adder is a good option - but it's still a big step and all advice is appreciated.

I will be making my own enclosures - so any designs are appreciated (at the current time i'm thinking a 3Lx2Hx2W foot melamine top opening enclosure with two wooden framed glass doors on top. That way, a wall can be inserted between the doors, and the enclosure sectioned off for cleaning, etc.

So, first off - does anybody have any enclosure designs that make keeping venomous snakes safer/easier - that don't lead to any problems?

Secondly - what does everybody think about an adder as a first? Keep in mind that antivenin is widely available here in Victoria, Australia.

Thirdly - just general tips for keeping?? tricks to make it easier? comments?

Thanks for reading, and for any replies.

Cheers.
Aaron.

1st top-opening plastic tub placed on warm surface @ 30C. These work for me.

2nd Just keep your appendages beyond the strike range (about 50% of total length - to be sure. Use long tweezers or similar to offer food.

3rd Try not to over-feed your adder. Adders of all species tend to get very obese in captivity. An adder will quickly train its keeper to offer food at will, just by wiggleing its tail. Adders will often caudal lure when they see the keeper enter the room. They get a mouse, and the behaviour is reinforced for next time. Many of the photos in texts are of fat pet snakes not wild ones. Most adder keepers have never seen a naturally-proportioned wild adder. I suggest 1 weaner per 10 days, or adult mus every 2 weeks.

NB These are just my opinions based on keeping several species in Aus.

Hi Aaron,

One of the first Elapids that I kept was a small Acanthophis antarcticus and I know of others that kept them at an early stage in their keeping experience as well, without any trouble at all. I really learnt a lot about snake behaviour in the process, because I tended to be extra careful owing to how fast they struck their food ! So, good luck but do be careful, because the ready availability of antivenom doesn't guarantee that you won't die or be disabled from a bite. On a more positive note, I presume you are going to buy a small one, and let it grow with your experience? Fully grown specimens as a first are sometimes more trouble than one may expect because they can be set in their ways before you get them...but as I said, providing you are careful and sensible about the responsibility, a Death Adder should be fine...I'm sure that in no time you will be an old hand at keeping them!

Regards

Richard Wells

Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend a death adder as a "first" or "beginner" hot snake, in your case, with the options you mentioned, it is probably the easiest to manage and maintain. Due to their small size, they are fairly easy to manage with a small hook or tongs and they don't exhibit those wonderful elapid-like bursts. Always assume that a bite can happen, stay alert and focused, never be in a rush, live a clean life and work slowly and deliberately. Personally, I don't like top opening cages but that's just me. I prefer front opening cages as I feel it gives me better leverage and maneuverability (but if this is a small cage, a top opening cage may work perfectly fine). Hope this helps.

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

>>In a couple of weeks, a new friend of mine will be showing me the ropes when it comes to keeping venomous snakes. After a few weeks of learning, the plan is to buy a death adder.
>>
>>But - that isn't rock solid yet. My options include black snakes, collett's snakes, death adders, etc - virtually anything except taipans, tiger snakes and brown snakes that is available in Australia.
>>
>>I have seeked the advice of four or five of the top herpers in Australia, and been told that an adder is a good option - but it's still a big step and all advice is appreciated.
>>
>>I will be making my own enclosures - so any designs are appreciated (at the current time i'm thinking a 3Lx2Hx2W foot melamine top opening enclosure with two wooden framed glass doors on top. That way, a wall can be inserted between the doors, and the enclosure sectioned off for cleaning, etc.
>>
>>So, first off - does anybody have any enclosure designs that make keeping venomous snakes safer/easier - that don't lead to any problems?
>>
>>Secondly - what does everybody think about an adder as a first? Keep in mind that antivenin is widely available here in Victoria, Australia.
>>
>>Thirdly - just general tips for keeping?? tricks to make it easier? comments?
>>
>>Thanks for reading, and for any replies.
>>
>>Cheers.
>>Aaron.
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Thanks to all.

Cheers,
Aaron.