ADDER OWNERS

[Robert]

Hi happy herpers i was wondering,
Does anyone keep anything from the Acanthophis family.(Death Adders).
I haven't got my specialist "yet" but i am very interested in these guys in particular.
They are my fav snake I love the look of them (wish they were not venomous) ,but i know a couple of ppl that own a vareity of elipads and the adders are up the top of their list.
I have heard their pro's and con's and was wondering if anyone else kept them and what their thoughts of adders were.
I am going through the process of getting properly licensed now so it will take a while no doubt but i would love some other opinions on this subject.
Also have heard they are one of the fastest stricking snakes in the world would this be true.Something else that fasinates me about these guys. :roll:

 

[basketcase]

.

im the same with adders, i love the look of them but i couldnt see myself keeping something so dangerous.

ive never seen any1 (thats sane) handle them and for me a reptile should be something ur able to handle and enjoy with relative safety

but wen u do get them id like to get a close look

cheers, jono

 

[kevyn]

They are pretty commonly kept over here, mainly the Northern Death Adder. They are very quick and ofter appear very docile. From everything that I have read about them, their husbandry is comparable to that of the Gaboon Viper. They do have a very toxic venom and one should use all the precausions necessary when handling any hot. They are not Childrens are Spotteds, you only handle it when necessary and with proper equipment.

 

[Robert]

Yer it is not something i plan to handle,only on a need to basis.

The enclosures that i have seen set up seemed realitivly basic.
No climbing nothing to get to close to the top, they have lockable lids,some sand a few rocks and some heating.
Kev they do seem pretty docile but i'm sure that is all just an act to lure you into stricking range.(which isn't as large as some of the other elipads.
But this is why i want one as i am aware of the toxicity and this way i don't have to get too close to it.
Love to watch these guys feed,it is awesome.A rush feeding them aswell.
Plan to do a course and am trying to spend as much time at my mates house learning everything i can about this animal.
Thanks for the input so far.

Rob

 

[africancichlidau]

I've got an abacus if thats any help?

 

[rlowey]

l saw a doco not long ago about two aussies that went out catching them because the shortage of anti-venim here in aust. They did say that they are the fastest striking snake in australia. In the doco the guy found one in a hole with its tail sticking out and said that if it was a tiger he'd have no qarm about pulling it out of the hole but was sh!t scared about it being a death adder. Sorry l cant remember the doco's name, it was on discovery channel.

 

[Nicole]

I saw that doco too, I think it was a quarter of a second that it took them to strike, you'd never see it coming, amazing stuff.

Best of luck Robert!
I like those chubby looking little guys too, but have no aspirations to own one.

 

[africancichlidau]

Did I hear you right Nicole? You like the chubby little guys? There's hope for me yet

 

[Fuscus]

She says she has no aspirations to own one so it looks like no go, afriy
Anyhow, my impression is that DAs are strictly terrestrial, so climbing gear is not required. Also they like leaf litter to lie half buried in.
Personally I wouldn?t keep a hot as a pet in suburbia, far too much responsibility for my liking.

 

[kevyn]

Glad to hear it Robert. I agree Death Adders are amazing snakes, and I will probably get one in the future. Watching hots eat is really great, but for my money vipers and pitvipers are the coolest to watch eat. Just seeing their huge fangs at work and let seeing them stretch them out after they're done is impressive. If you ever get the chance to see a Gaboon Viper eat, go for it. They can have 2 inch fangs; very intimadating.

 

[Simon_Archibald]

*^*

 

[Robert]

That is quick.It does look like a blur though.
When i was watching the youngist D.A(6mths old) chris through in a mouse and o boy did the mouse cop it.I don't even think the mouse knew where it was being hit from.
Once he hit the mouse it was instintly paralized.
Can't wait to get one in my collection.So i can sit and stair at it for hours