Pretty sure I know the answer

[cacoseraph]

it messes up my fixations when reading though. slows me down and is annoying =P

 

[Widowman10]

it messes up my fixations when reading though. slows me down and is annoying =P

haha, me too i'm a pay-attention-to-detail kinda guy

 

[rollinkansas]

i expect a gaboon is going to be in the $1500-3000 range so a $1000-3000 caging solution is not that unreasonable.

If Im not mistaken, gaboons are only around $100 each. As for caging, you dont need a $3000 cage. The Neodesha cages, even though they dont make them anymore, and youd get it used, are perfect.

They are molded from 1 piece of plastic, and the door is 1 piece that slides back and forth with a lock on each end.

Heres some reviews

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/reviews/detail/30

So you can save the $4000 for decorations

 

[Widowman10]

So you can save the $4000 for decorations

or for 40 more gaboons...

 

[arachnophoria]

Lol..I actually took CP English in School,but I'm just in a hurry and thing...damn them english for makeing such useless rules...spaces after punctuations...for what?Sorry,I know it is correct to do so,but I am in the habit of not doing so .

In response to a planting makeing the snake more able to be in unexpected places,it depends ont he planting style and set-up used.I DO agree that is an excellent point to keep in mind,but one I have already considered.Your talking to a guy,who had a 21' L cage built in his basement for his 7 melleri chameleons and filled it with live plants.I am a fanatic about anturalistic displays,though I do keep many animals in utilitarian styled set-ups.The Gaboon or Rhino viper is a pure display animal for me and thus,only would be placed in a zoo quality habitat.I think a similar African species that is less venomous or not at all was an excellent idea,but has its downfalls.The other snake could leave disease organisms behind and being that snakes have different habits and strike patterns,it really would not prepare for the real deal anymore than keeping a nippy rat snake.I like that everyone is gently voiceing concern for safety and I hope my responses reflect my consideration to safe practices.Also,as for a native species in another room,I don't have another room to use..lol.I am not running out tomorrow for my viper,just rolling the idea around in my head.I have to build the cage first anyway and plant it and get the light...most importantly,I want to find a good,reliable source for information and CBB animals.I have also looked at venomoids,but just really think it is wrong to manipulate them that way.It's just a ''me thing''...I like what I like and think what I think, I never claimed to make sense;P .

 

[Galadriel]

I've had several gabonica over the years, and I STRONGLY advise against getting one. They look like big, fat, lazy slugs, but believe me...they can move faster than you can see when agitated. The process of obtaining permits to obtain antivenin are slow and usually not fruitful. It has to be kept refrigerated and is only good for a year. You CAN NOT administer it to yourself should a bite occur, and chances are pretty fair that you would be dead or disfigured by the time you got to a hospital and the the Doc got the information on how to administer said antivenin.

ALSO...there is really no such thing as a "good starter hot". You live in a state where hots are legal. Find someone who is already an experienced keep and is willing to let you spend some time hanging around, feeding the snakes, cleaning cages, et cetera. Get the feel for it before you dive in head first.

Most hospitals, in fact, do NOT stock antivenin for native species. It costs too much to keep in stock and updated VS the amount of people who actually require it. Vet's offices, however, do tend to keep it around and there is no difference in antivenin for people VS antivenin for dogs.

Besides, the A/V we use in the US is total crap. You're probably more likely to suffer a nasty allergic reaction to the equine proteins than you are to die from the bite of a North American hot.

 

[Joe]

I've had several gabonica over the years, and I STRONGLY advise against getting one. They look like big, fat, lazy slugs, but believe me...they can move faster than you can see when agitated.

Even when not agitated, at times. Having been struck at in a pet store I worked, while doing cage maintenance, I can personally attest to that. It didn't make a movement or sound at all before it struck, and it surprised me so much that I almost dropped my shield.

 

[arachnophoria]

I have read that they can strike at least one half their body length and in any direction.I have also read that they are deceptive in their sluggish look,but can strike faster than you can blink.I have also read that the tend to hold on and/or inject huge amounts of venom and that they inject venom in up to 80% of bites.I have also been researching the Rhino viper,as it is even more beautiful.It apparently has more toxic venom,takeing less than the Gaboon's to do the same damage.I think find a local venomous enthusiast to let me work around their snakes first is the best idea I have heard yet and I will be looking for someone.Thanks for that suggestion:worship:.

Currently,my cage plans involve a large unit that has a guillitine type door in beween 2 halves that allow the snake to me closed in one part of the cage,while the other side gets cleaned or water dish is replace..what have you.Then the snake is proded through a small door via a very long snake hook to the other side and the other part of the cage is cleaned with no contact being made with the snake.I have secured an experienced vet,willing and able to treat venomous animals and have devised a catch box that can be placed in the cage and has a sliding down (guillitine) door to transport the snake,with out the need for contact.I have also read up and recounted safe handling practices for these species(ie no tailing vipers).I think I am on a good path for doing this correctly,but seeking the venomous keeper to work with to gain some experience is something I wouldn't go without.This is turning out to be a productive thread.

 

[Galapoheros]

Also this is driving me nuts about your posts, but why are there no spaces after your punctuation marks?

Haha, that was poking at my brain too, but it's just a space. Something tells me that whether that bothers someone or not, it might be a significant indicator of an aspect of someone's personality. But maybe not!

I've kept a few local hot snakes. They are interesting but I stay away from really hot stuff because I know myself that well. I think some people can do it safely. I like the basement idea. And what can you walk up and down on that a snake can't climb in case it did get out ...there's got to be something, maybe a smooth concrete ramp. I had a REALLY bad experience with a huge C. horridus that got lose in my car for two weeks ...and I didn't know it! I've stayed away from hots since then, hard to get that out of my mind and maybe I shouldn't get it out. A Gaboon viper, that's pretty serious. They are nice looking snakes. I asked the manager at the Snake Farm in San Antonio which snake it is that he's most careful with. He said he respected the Gaboon viper the most out of all the Cobras, Mambas and vipers in the building.

 

[fantasticp]

My 2 cents

Just my two cents: I've known someone with a Gabby. It was a gabby cross. NO ONE is going to have antivenin for a cross. Period. Plus, it's always been my understanding if one bites you, you don't have all that much time to make it to the hospital anyway, so it's really your decision. I don't think you are going to find any for your fridge.

Some snake venom is slow acting, and some might not let you out of the room. As an adult you can choose your own fate and what you are willing to risk. Some venomous guys freehandle practically everything and that's really their choice IMO. And having a trap box like you say should be practically riskless.

Gaboons can move too fast to react, and I don't believe they will dry bite.....but most of the time they are complete slugs. They can sit in one spot so long that they don't drink and dehydrate themselves.

In conclusion: your decision, but I would just accept that antivenin is not coming if you get bit and take it from there. They are gorgeous animals.

 

[fantasticp]

Besides, the A/V we use in the US is total crap. You're probably more likely to suffer a nasty allergic reaction to the equine proteins than you are to die from the bite of a North American hot.

...so I have heard too.

 

[arachnophoria]

Perfectly agreed.I think it is just too bad,that as prepared as someone may want to be,they really are not able to stock antivenom.On the other hand,that is anticipateing a bite,which if everything is done correctly,should not occur.One could argue the same is true for the Fait tailed scorps and deathstalkers.....no antivenom is probably going to be around,if you get stund,so accept your mortality,before you decide to deal with them.I like to be as prepared and knowledgeable about my charges as possible.

In regards to a hybrid,such as the Gabino (gaboon and rhino cross),it should be like Crofab...a cocktail of the regional Bitis would go into one antivenom and treat bites from the Rhino,Gaboon,or what have you.This I am not certain on,but like rattlesnakes,the Bitis have different toxic properties,but a similar makeup,meaning,what makes the Rhino more toxic,is essentially the same toxin as in the Gaboon,but concentrated differently.I'm sure that will never be in issue for me...if I'm bitten by a Gaboon or Rhino,I'm lucky if they can treat that...a hybrid of the 2 would just mean I have a gaurdian angel.At any rate,I won't be cocky and say I'll never get bit,but I will say,I am willing to think things out,work with other hot keeper first,build an enclosure,and utilize equiptment to minimize the risk as much as possible.I use to consider it foolhardy to keep venomous animals,in fact, I still think things should be more regulated.Saying that,I guess as I have gottne older and wiser,I don't lack the impulse control I did as a younger man or boy and feel that I can accept a hands off position of my captives.The fear goes away,when you realize,there really is few to no good reasons to actually have an oppertunity to get bitten or stung by a properly caged snake or scorpion.It happens,but b/c someone made a mistake,not all of them were dumb or irresponsible,but it was still a mistake.Just have to eliminate the oppertunity for error as much as one can.You even see the snake wranglers on TV getting bitten over and over (Steve Austin),that to me is more lunacy (mucking with an agile and highly toxic snake,in a remote place,while a camera is distracting you,and you are concerned with looking into the lense,with a 15' cobra 2' from your lap,in strike pose),than keeping a venomous animal in a ''controlled'' setting.I suppose it is a matter of opinion,like handling Ts or feeding,a debate that has 2 passionate and valid sides,but one that I can't help but fall tot he left of .

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Haha, that was poking at my brain too, but it's just a space. Something tells me that whether that bothers someone or not, it might be a significant indicator of an aspect of someone's personality. But maybe not!

Uh, no, it just means that all his sentences blur together in one big mess that makes my eyes ache. I'm not sure what you're implying with that "personality" bit.

 

[ChondroGirl]

I have a friend who has two gaboon vipers and keeps them in locked 4' tall cages. He is very safe in his care of them. He has shallow buckets with handles for water bowls. That way he can change the water with a snake hook. He cleans the cages with a shop vac and uses a long handled pooper scooper and sponges. They are beautiful animals!!! They never strike at the tools he uses in the cages, but he never forgets that they can be deadly.

The antivenom costs $12,000 for a set, and it expires in one year, so he is usually without venom, but he takes NO risks.