Flutter your eyelashes!

My lovely female...

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And the male

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Thanks for looking

Oh her colours show up so well in those images, she is stunning Lisa!! Loving his second image, great shots.

So what are the precautions you need to take when dealing with these beautiful guys?

Stunning on both accounts

Sorry Tan, I completely missed your comment, and thanks Wama

Here's another shot of the female, I can't get enough of her (from a safe distance!) - she's just gorgeous :)

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With regards to precautions: I cannot stress how careful and sensible it is necessary to be with these animals. Here are some of the measures myself and Dave take with them :

* They are kept in secure vivs with viv locks, inside a locked reptile room.
* Latin name of species and contact numbers in case of an emergency, and a phone in place in the actualy reptile room.
* We maintain a minimal interference routine with them. We only handle them when absolutely necessary - for husbandry/cage upkeep etc. They don't defecate very often, and they are mostly left to their own devices. They refuse to drink from a water dish, and although we do maintain one in the viv, they always drink from droplets when sprayed. (We had a fogger, it broke so we're just spraying them every other day to keep up humidity until we get another).

* When it is necessary to move or handle the animals, we ensure there is always a second person in near vicinity, just in case. Under no circumstances will either of us handle these animals on our own.

* Decent and functional handling equipment is absolutely necessary and used by us at all times. Under no circumstances are these snakes free handled. Being aboreal, it is quite easy (with a little patience sometimes!) to guide a snake onto a hook, using another hook. They will sit quite comfortably at the end of the hook, and it is important to be armed with two hooks, as the snake could very well begin to make their way up alont the hook they are sitting on.

* In some circumstances, it is necessary to get closer to the snakes and in those circumstances, tubes will be used. We've had no cause to use them yet, but are well prepared if that situation arises.

* Good hook skills are absolutely essential. So is general cop on. we will not work with these snakes if we are tired/hung over/sick etc as you absolutely need to be on the ball and be capable of full concentration.

* We are in the process of building lock-boxes inside the vivs to bring us right up to N. Ireland DWA regulations. Currently we move them into a small spare viv when cleaning,and it works fine, but we want to abide by DWA even though it is not in existence in the Republic at this point in time.

*A note - when there is more than one venomous snake in a set-up, ALWAYS know exactly where each snake is. And remember how impressive their striking distance is

I adore them. It's like starting back at square one. Everything about keeping these guys is so different to how non-venomous are kept. They are not for everyone and they certainly shouldn't be!

I will add to this if I think of anything and contributions from other hot keepers - or indeed people with thoughts on the issue, are very welcome.

EXCELLENT advice Lisa.

Personally I don't keep or ever intend to keep a DWA listed reptile as I know I would never ever be confident enough to look after it, which in turn would inevitably lead to me making a mistake which in turn could result in lost digits, limbs or a life.

I think trying to follow DWA is important and responsible tbh, it's in place for a reason after all and it is only a matter of time before we become more regulated.

Great post Lisa I know i'd love a Gaboon Viper.....but i'm 100% i will never ever ever get one, i'm not cautious enough!!!

My word, look at all my typos!
And I'm too lazy to go back and correct them...

Thanks Tan and Joe I was always 100% sure I would never take on anything DWa listed either! Snake wise, it certainly stops at these. I could so easily get caught up in the appeal of hots, but it is not going to happen. As for gaboon vipers Joe, we brought some home for friends from our last Haam trip - and they are not something I would ever consider keeping. They are absolutely magnificent, but oh so scary!

Good points there Lisa ... and your 0.1 is really nice ... are you going to breed them some day ? If you do, pleas contact me ... new bloodlines are allways needed
"... it certainly stops at these... " never say never, there are so many interesting small "worms" waiting for you ...

Thanks Ari

They are both 07's and have been copulating, time will tell I guess. I will make a proper attempt at breeding them next year I think...
What about yours? Have you bred the schegli yet?

Lisa she is stunning, and some great advice given there too. I wouldn't consider getting anything like that though, I fear I'd end up having a lapse of concentration and end up getting bitten.

The DWA legislation here in the north is quite good (although it hasn't been enforced very well) and I think it's good that you have used it for keeping your own hots even though you didn't have to, very responsible.