More Atheris....chlorechis this time.

Will0W783 · 11-25-12, 06:00 PM

My good friend decided to get out of keeping snakes until his children are older and offered me his last two animals. I needed more snakes like I needed a hole in the head, but I knew the history of the animals and couldn't pass them up.

They are long-term captive Atheris chlorechis, or West African bush vipers. These guys are sometimes also called West African leaf viper. Either way, I'm very happy...these are plump, healthy, breedable animals. Atheris are very rarely brought into the country anymore, and few people keep the bloodlines going, so I"m hoping to have some success propagating some of the less common species.

Here they are...

The male (without flash...somewhat pales him):

With flash (he's brighter green than this but the bluish tinge is true):

Here's the female (without flash):

With flash (She's closer to this shade, but lighter...very blue):

It really is amazing with these guys how their colors change with photography...it's really hard to get a picture to capture their in-flesh coloration. I love them and am thrilled to be able to add them to my collection. Selina, my original female, is still hanging in there, so I'm hoping that she can eventually become healthy enough to create a trio. Honestly, I'll be happy if she just survives though...she came to me with a very virulent type of whipworm.
The new guys are clean and healthy though, and already eat frozen/thawed.

marvelfreak · 11-25-12, 06:03 PM

Very cool.

Gungirl · 11-25-12, 06:05 PM

Congrats, They are gorgeous Kim.

EmbraceCalamity · 11-25-12, 06:09 PM

How beautiful! I hope you have success with breeding. I love seeing rare species being produced.

~Maggot

Will0W783 · 11-25-12, 06:17 PM

Thanks guys..I love this species. They are very neat little snakes, and quite relaxed for bush vipers. Usually bushies are hell in scales, but chlorechis seem to take life in stride.

They used to be extremely common, as they were imported by the shipload from Africa along with other bush viper species, but civil war in the native lands has all but shut down trade, and they have difficulty acclimating to captivity so many didn't make it. They are not usually seen these days. I think it's very important for owners to concentrate on propagating them whenever possible so we can establish healthy, captive bloodlines. This will relieve stress on wild populations and cut down on fatalities. One of the most heartbreaking things for a rare species lover like me is seeing beautiful imports go downhill and not being able to turn them around. This pair has been in the US for several years, so the danger period has passed. Hopefully they thrive and will produce for me next year. *crosses fingers*

Rogue628 · 11-25-12, 06:54 PM

They're gorgeous, Kim! Congrats on the pick ups! I wish you well on breeding them.

**Pareeeee** · 11-25-12, 07:26 PM

Gorgeous! Willow - not to change topic but what would be your most venomous snake?

Will0W783 · 11-25-12, 07:36 PM

There's a saying among venomous keepers that I always refer to with this question:

"The most venomous snake in the world is the one that just bit you."

There are statistics of the LD50 (venom amount required to kill 50% of subjects) usually performed on lab mice or rats, % of bites that are dry for a given species, reports of human deaths, disfigurements, etc. However, for practical purposes, ANY venomous snake has the potential to kill if you're sensitive enough to the venom, and to your body, the snake that just bit you is the most venomous snake you've ever encountered. There's no such thing as "no big deal" when it comes to venomous snakes.

However, I would say that the most potentially deadly snake I own would be the cobra. Monocled cobra venom has a nasty cocktail of neurotoxins that cause flaccid paralysis and cytotoxins that dissolve your skin. A good bite can cause paralysis leading to respiratory arrest in 20 minutes to 2 hours, although some people never experience neurological symptoms, or get them a day or two after the bite. It's a very fast-acting venom though, so you have less than an hour to get safely to a hospital, in contrast to the hours to days it takes for the average pit viper venom to do you in.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake also packs a nasty bite, although it is much less potent than diamondbacks. Tissue necrosis is almost a guarantee with any rattler bite.

Also, my Atheris are potentially quite dangerous because of the lack of antivenins to neutralize their toxins. They are small and fairly easy to avoid though, so their size alleviates some of the danger. I have to stay constantly aware of their position and head though, as they can strike their entire body length (another 10% if they throw themselves hard enough), and don't stay put on a hook well when they're enraged, so I glove up and minimize hook time with them.

It's not really as easy a question to answer as you'd think, so I hope that helps Pareee.

**Pareeeee** · 11-25-12, 08:59 PM

Cool. Another interesting read, even though I'm not interested in keeping hots I am fascinated by them nonetheless.

Will0W783 · 11-25-12, 09:09 PM

It's definitely not for everyone. It is a deadly serious hobby, but can be very enjoyable if you go into it prepared.

Rogue628 · 11-25-12, 09:20 PM

I still would love to be mentored. I don't want to keep them, but I do think learning about them and getting experience would help me understand and appreciate the ones I do keep better.

Will0W783 · 11-26-12, 06:42 AM

I've found that I'm a lot more alert and aware with my non-vens now. I haven't been bitten by anything sunce I started working with hots. Even working under a mentor has its risks and isn't to be taken lightly though.
,

DragonsEye · 11-26-12, 08:37 AM

Gorgeous snakes

**Aaron_S** · 11-26-12, 08:41 AM

I want to touch their heads. This is why I should never own one again.

Will0W783 · 11-26-12, 11:48 AM

Quote:

I want to touch their heads. This is why I should never own one again.

The only ones I've touched are very dead, frozen ones. They are really spiny. I can't say that I'm never curious to touch the vipers, but one look at what they do to their food and that curiosity dissipates really quickly! I used to think I'd never be ok owning animals that cannot be handled, but to tell you the truth I love to just watch them. Their behavior and their camouflage is fascinating. They are beautiful display animals and I'm happy to leave them be and feed them.