First, that's a beautiful ETB....one of my favorites of the boids (particularly the amazon basins...we just acquired a beautiful adult female and now looking for a mate). Those who keep arboreal boas tend to be good candidates for keeping hots because these are, for the most part, look but don't handle animials. If you can get an ETB or GTP off a branch w/out stress to the animal, or, getting bit, that takes a certain degree of skill. But, I do agree with Kris in that this genus isn't the best first venomous experience. With that being said, here's a few helpful hint in keeping rhino vipers:



1) STRESS Management: these are high stress animals and must be kept in a quiet, secluded setting/area.



2) Set Up: I'm a big fan of naturalistic or semi naturalistic set ups for both the physiological and psychological needs of the snake....particularly rhinos. Sure, they can be kept on newspaper with a water bowl but that sure takes away from the experience in observing them. We keep our's in 5' x 3' exhibits with a layer of top soil, a tiny bit of sand, forest leaf litter, and a few other things along with a deep layer of leaves, potted live plants and several large logs to allow the snakes to hunker next to. We keep the lighting subdued with just a full spectrum fluorescent. Heat is provided by a pro product radiant heat panel attached to a Spyder Robotics thermostat so that the cool end is 70-72 deg F during the day and the warmer end is approximately 85 deg F in a small area....you have to guard againsts too much heat! Night temps drop to 70-78 deg F...thermal gradient.



We also provide a large, shallow water bowl. We've never had to soak our rhinos - that's a big misnomer in Bitis care (gaboons and rhinos). No need to do that if you maintain proper hydration and humidity levels. We hand mist our exhibits rather than using misting systems. This keeps the animals used to daily human interaction but we do it in a manner that is 1005 safe. Our adults have maintained their nice coloration.



Hope that helps.



Rob Carmichael, Curator

The Wildlife Discovery Center



>>Yes, these are amazing animals. I will caution that if you don't have experience with venomous, Bitis is NOT the genus to break in with. These animals may appear sluggish and lazy, but they are LIGHTNING quick and inject ALOT of venom....

>>

>>My advice would be to get experience with less lethal species first....

>>

>>-Kris
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Rob Carmichael, Curator

The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm

Lake Forest, IL

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