Looking for Western Diamondback Rattlesnake owners/photographers

[CarbonHandprint]

First post on the forum, so hello everybody! My name is TJ Schwarz, and I am a design engineer for Koenig Knives. We are about to release a new model called the Koenig Atrox. The name has other associations, but we titled it in reference to the species name of the western diamondback. Anyways, we are looking to have some photography done of the knife with a real live Atrox for advertisement purposes. I figured one of the largest reptile forums on the internet would be a good place to start looking for some models! If anyone has a mature specimen and photography skill, you would be exactly what we are looking for. If you have a snake but need a photographer we could try to coordinate that too.

So if anybody is interested in having their baby debut in a magazine or two, send me a message! We will send you a knife for the shoot and pay you for your efforts, either with cash or product!

Here are a couple less professional photos of the Atrox. Pre-orders are being taken for those of you knife enthusiasts out there!

TJ Schwarz
Design Engineer - Koenig Knives
Boise, Idaho

[Will0W783]

Hi TJ. I own a female albino atrox, who is actually quite pleasant-mannered for an atrox. I'd love to help out with your project...let me know what you need!

[Will0W783]

Oh, here are a few non-professional shots of my girl, so you get an idea what she looks like. She is 2 years old, so not fully grown but not a baby either. I also have an eastern diamondback (C. adamanteus) and a batwing rattlesnake if you want pictures of either of those as well.

[RandyRhoads]

Of two local species of Crotalus I own the wrong one. As a rattlesnake lover and knife maker this would have been awesome.

Can't wait to see how the final product comes out.

Any specs on the steel, size, grind etc...?

[Mikoh4792]

Just looked at your pics on facebook.

How can I pre-order?

[RandyRhoads]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Just looked at your pics on facebook.

How can I pre-order?

Link please?

[dinosaurdammit]

I got this guy

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Link please?

this knife looks so bad-***

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

[RandyRhoads]

Like the tanto, where's the pattern going, the blade or handle?

[Will0W783]

Dinosaurdammit, when did you get an atrox? I didn't think you kept venomous snakes, and that's certainly not a beginner species....

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Dinosaurdammit, when did you get an atrox? I didn't think you kept venomous snakes, and that's certainly not a beginner species....

i didnt get one, this is a picture I took at expo- i wouldnt have a hot- not with a toddler around. I ment to have it say "i got this guys pic" but my computer ate some words and i didnt read before i hit "save" after my last edit

[RandyRhoads]

Kim I never understood why you say they aren't a beginners species. They are so defense and never seem to move if you keep them that way. What would you consider a beginner species then?? Elapids scare the hell out of me. Those I would understand...

[Will0W783]

Ah, they are gorgeous pictures for sure.
Randy, western diamondback rattlesnakes have a tendency to be very defensive and strike readily. They are extremely fast snakes, and have a venom cocktail that affects tissue, blood, and the heart and kidneys.

Elapids are not beginner species either for sure. However, based on temperament, I would classify western diamondbacks about equal to elapids in terms of danger to the keeper.

Not all rattlesnakes are of similar temperament, and not all WDBs are defensive and "aggressive." I am lucky enough to own 5 very laid-back rattlers at the present time. But, WDBs seem to be of bad temperament more often than not- if you talk to other keepers they will generally say the same thing. There is also the fact that, in the event of a bite, you are quite likely to die or at least face serious permanent disfigurement from the bite.


What would I consider a beginner venomous? I hesitate to say anything is a good beginner hot, because they are all dangerous. Any one of them could kill you if your body reacts poorly. However, there are species that are more docile and generally less toxic than others. I'd consider coral cobras (aspidelaps) to be pretty amenable first hots; they are generally calm, their venom is very mild and they don't get too large.
I'd also say a lot of the smaller arboreal vipers (eyelash, hump-nosed pit viper, bush vipers) make good beginner hots, because they are small and tend to ride on hooks well. I really wish we saw in more Rhombic and hooded night adders. These little vipers are beautiful, hardy and have very mild venom.
However, what species to start with is often a personal choice. I do know people who started with Gaboons or WDBs...it's just probably a riskier way to go about getting into hots, because they are some of the more dangerous.

[MizCandice]

Willow your snake is stunning!