My Bitis :-)

[Will0W783]

I have a soft spot for members of the genus Bitis- I find their huge heads, fat bodies and vibrant patterns just stunning. They are very impressive, very amazingly evolved creatures.

A few months ago, I brought home a female Tanzanian puff adder to care for for my mentor. I'm hoping to eventually be able to buy this animal and make her a permanent denizen of the collection. She's surprisingly calm and laid- back; the only times I've ever heard her puff are when she's in shed and I disturb her for cage cleaning. I'm particularly amazed at her temperament, since she was imported this summer as a young adult. I love this species; for some reason, I find their defense posture (head drawn back and down) kind of cute. Her name is Harley Quinn (her pattern looks harlequin-like to me).
Right now, she's on paper because I'm treating the entire room for mites.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131210_104456_zps64180d2e.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131210_104456_zps64180d2e.jpg.html)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131205_213347_zpsf309febe.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131205_213347_zpsf309febe.jpg.html)

On Saturday, I got in a little male West African Gaboon viper on a trade. I've always wanted one of this species- I think they're one of the most beautiful and impressive of the vipers. So far he seems pretty calm, but I know all too well what he's capable of, so he will be treated with extreme care. He ate a mouse for me on Sunday, and I named him Deadshot. For some reason, the flash on my camera keeps turning off when I try to photograph him, so every picture looks rather dark. He's actually gray, lavender, pink and cream, instead of the shades of dull brown he looks in the pictures. The two shots of him in the deli cup at the show are pretty spot-on for his colors.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131207_115930_zpsfcf31013.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131207_115930_zpsfcf31013.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131207_115940_zpse3d64094.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131207_115940_zpse3d64094.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131207_205404_zpsae1c5d60.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131207_205404_zpsae1c5d60.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131208_171026_zpsd96a41ef.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131208_171026_zpsd96a41ef.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131210_104528_zps9458832a.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131210_104528_zps9458832a.jpg.html)

[lady_bug87]

Very cool

What's the final count?

[LadyWraith]

Wow beautiful!

[Will0W783]

NOt sure what the final count is at the moment, especially since I have a few animals in on breeding loans and temporary housing. I think there's something like 37?

[Will0W783]

I've decided that I like the name "Darth Vader" better for the Gaboon. It fits his huffy puffy nature. He sounds like Vader breathing through that mask, lol. Here are a few pictures of him eating a mouse:
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131211_192748_RichtoneHDR_zps2148a0e5.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131211_192748_RichtoneHDR_zps2148a0e5.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131211_192806_zpsda0414ca.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131211_192806_zpsda0414ca.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131211_192823_zps733faa75.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131211_192823_zps733faa75.jpg.html)

[Will0W783]

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/20131211_192722_zps44275c9c.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Will0W783/media/20131211_192722_zps44275c9c.jpg.html)

[Hurrok]

What a cute face, and 'Darth Vader' sounds suiting! I've never heard such an intense hiss from any other kind of snake.

[Will0W783]

Hurrok, they do have ridiculously cute faces for things that can kill you so easily! He is noisy for his size, but not nearly as loud as the puff when she gets going. I cleaned her cage, so she's been unhappy for the last 3 days.

Vader was head-bobbing at me this morning when I went in to check on them. It's something I've seen a few Gabbys and most rhinos do. They make a "snuffling" sound and bob the head up and down, or side to side. It's pretty neat.