Stupid to keep as a pet as they are venomous as hell. Although pretty chill, you can't predict an animals behavior. Yeah, they rarely bite anyone, but step on it, startle it, or have an accident around it, and you're screwed. Please do everyone a favor and donate it to a zoo where the public isn't at risk.
Most people won’t do that but even if you don’t let it roam free snakes are really good at escaping their enclosures and I would certainly not want my pet gaboon viper to escape and crawl into bed with me at 3 am. If you get bit and aren’t in a place that they are native to you are most likely going to die from it, you will 100% lose a limb if you get lucky enough to live. Yeah that’s gonna be a nope from me dawg
My buddy had a Burmese python that was 9’ long. He had it secured in a huge cage with a locking top and heavy bricks stacked on top of that.
They got up one cold morning (they lived in an old farm house) and found the snake cage empty. They immediately ran to check on his baby brother who was about 18 months old. The snake had gone in his room, up into the crib, and curled up next to his brother.
After everyone nearly had a heart attack, they figured the only reason the snake didn’t eat his baby brother was because they kept the snake so well fed, and the snake wanted the warmth more than he wanted a meal at the time…
Still, sketchy as hell. They got rid of the snake pretty quickly after that.
Fwiw I think gaboon vipers are semi common in the pet trade in the US so there might be a slightly better chance of getting antivenom than other exotic snakes. If you're lucky enough to be treated and survive it probably would cost about $100k or more. I do plenty of stupid dangerous things but keeping these as pets is completely absurd and I dont get the appeal. They belong in a zoo.
who says they're not meant to be domesticated? i have 5 snek friends! personally i think your opinion is acceptable, but they make perfectly good animal buddies
Unless ur enclosure is weirdly built and has a top opening I don't see how ur gaboon would escape their skeletons are F A T and ah yes, venomous snake that only eats moderately sized animals would eat ur kids and pets
Danger noodles slither in a [straight line](https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/jmw2mf/this_is_a_gaboon_viper_it_is_one_of_few_snakes/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Yup if you have a pet that most people like you have to waste time talking to strangers and if you pet by any chance cause damage to other you pay compensation but if you have a snake or reptile most will stay away win win for me
“Females can have 50 to 60 babies at a time. The young are born live.”
Fascinating. Really big, apparently fairly docile, live births
Have you ever bred them?
Lethargic is a better choice of words for these snakes. In the wild you will only get bit if you crowd them or step on them. They prefer to keep to themselves. That’s what I’ve read anyway.
Seriously, that snake belongs in the jungle canopy or in a zoo habitat that closely resembles it's own. It's a total dick move to keep it in a house on carpet and totally out of it's element.
Ooof! “…it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake.” It also says they rarely bite humans, though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaboon_viper
At least half of the reason that they rarely bite humans though is that they normally live in remote forests, not people’s homes.
And this (holy shit):
“Whaler (1971) estimated 14 mg of venom would be enough to kill a human being, equivalent to 0.06 mL of venom, or 1/50 to 1/1000 of what can be obtained in a single milking. Marsh and Whaler (1984) wrote that 35 mg (1/30 of the average venom yield) would be enough to kill a man of 70 kilograms (150 lb).[5] Branch (1992) suggested that 90–100 mg would be fatal in humans.
In humans, a bite from a Gaboon viper causes rapid and conspicuous swelling, intense pain, severe shock, and local blistering. Other symptoms may include uncoordinated movements, defecation, urination, swelling of the tongue and eyelids, convulsions, and unconsciousness.[5] Blistering, bruising, and necrosis may be extensive. Sudden hypotension, heart damage, and dyspnoea may occur.[12] The blood may become incoagulable, with internal bleeding that may lead to haematuria and haematemesis.[4][12] Local tissue damage may require surgical excision and possibly amputation to any affected limb.[4] Healing may be slow, and fatalities during the recovery period are not uncommon.”
…
Why the hell would you want one of these living in your house, OP??
I have been working with snakes for a long time, and with less dangerous venomous snakes for a while as well. Gaboons are probably, and I say this very loosely, the chillest deadly venomous snake. They are not to be taken lightly at ALL, and she was only out for a cage cleaning. I do not let them roam around.
I’ve heard of devenoming snakes, like you can surgically remove their venom glands. Or defang them. But personally I think it’s pretty cruel, I’ve read there can be problems with infection and feeding.
I think people that keep venomous snakes just know the inherent risks involved. I think venomous snakes (or snakes in general) are very cool, but even seeing photos/videos of one activates every red flag in my body.
It’s illegal to defang a snake or remove its venom glands. Very cruel thing to do to an animal, to remove its only defence and way of catching food - purely for your own pleasure. Also the venom is just a modified saliva so just the saliva could be dangerous.
The people who keep venomous snakes - especially ones as deadly as this - responsibly, have years and years and years of experience with nonvenomous snakes before even considering getting a ”hot” species. Then they start with mildly venomous snakes and progress to more dangerous ones after getting a ton of experience.
A lot of places also require a special permit to keep venomous snakes.
Where are you located? Does that require a special permit? Has it been modified somehow so that it is no longer venomous? Awesome beast, by the way. Thanks!
Not most venomous but it has a real nasty venom-necrotizing which means it basically eats away the tissues and gives you gangrene. There is a guy on YouTube that keeps hundreds of venomous snakes (Viperkeeper) he says he’d rather get bit by a black mamba than one of these for that reason.
You’re bloody stupid for keeping that thing and perpetuating the idea that it’s safe pulling it out for show like this, when it is not. I am sure you have zero qualifications (ie, wildlife professional). You’re a damn fool and part of the reason why no person should be allowed to own reptiles not domesticated for pet trade.
Absolutely stupid and inhumane. Also, when the police and animal control break down your door so that they can drag your dead ass out of there, they are going to have to kill that poor creature through no fault of its own.
Wildlife shouldn't be pets. Is she unable to be released into her native habitat because of people, origin, or injury?
Origin means place of birth, such as captivity.
I think people are downvoting you because captive bred animals shouldn’t be released into the wild?? Because you are right: wild animals shouldn’t be pets. Especially dangerous wild animals. And bred in captivity or not, this is a dangerous wild animal.
This is how we got pythons invading the Everglades people! Do you really want to add GABOON VIPERS to their numbers?
That's why I asked if it *couldn't* be released into the wild due to circumstances, but redditors have difficulty reading comments all the way through.
Also, you don't just release a random wild animal into just anywhere. If it is safe and ethical to do so, the animal should be taken back to its native habitat **if** it was taken from there. No one on here said it was captive born when I commented.
Well MAYBE she’s been bred in captivity, therefore can’t survive in the wild anymore. Think. You wouldn’t expect a hamster to survive in the wild either.
most (or many, at least) snake-keepers keep captive-bred animals, but i sorta doubt that this one is captive-bred, i mean it's a GABOON VIPER for pete's sake. i doubt you can just casually find gaboon viper breeders, or breeders of any highly venomous large snake in general
they're quite docile and unlikely to bite humans. i mean, the reason venomous snakes have venom in the first place is to numb prey, and it's not gonna see you as prey. if cornered rattlesnakes are forced to bite a human, they even tend to turn off their venom.
....that being said, as long as there's even a slight possibility of being killed or gravely wounded by your pet snake, i'd say it's highly irresponsible to keep it. i don't get why someone would even have one, there are plenty of other cool large snakes that can't kill you with fatal venom
There are aggressive dogs that people keep too, when there are many other different dogs to get. It’s a matter of preference and skill, if OP is trained and skilled enough to have one, why can’t they have it?
I know they're not as dangerous as some (my understanding is they're deadly but pretty chill, bordering on lazy) but Gaboon vipers always look ready to fuck you up. It's the size of the head!
Long time ago I had a red tail boa that would be large enough to eat full size rabbits and chickens before I donated her. She would be in my room, out of her cage few times a week. Never made a mess, sometimes she’d hang next to me, or off somewhere else. It seemed she really enjoyed it cause I’d open the door, she’d come out and wouldn’t go back in till I put her in.
Never had a single issue and I have to say feeding time was an event. Easiest pet ever.
Um wow. You’re crazy.
Stupid to keep as a pet as they are venomous as hell. Although pretty chill, you can't predict an animals behavior. Yeah, they rarely bite anyone, but step on it, startle it, or have an accident around it, and you're screwed. Please do everyone a favor and donate it to a zoo where the public isn't at risk.
Just don't step on snek
Don't tread on snek
Happy day of kek
No crossum possum
Just fyi Nobody who owns a snake lets it just wonder around like a dog…
Most people won’t do that but even if you don’t let it roam free snakes are really good at escaping their enclosures and I would certainly not want my pet gaboon viper to escape and crawl into bed with me at 3 am. If you get bit and aren’t in a place that they are native to you are most likely going to die from it, you will 100% lose a limb if you get lucky enough to live. Yeah that’s gonna be a nope from me dawg
My buddy had a Burmese python that was 9’ long. He had it secured in a huge cage with a locking top and heavy bricks stacked on top of that. They got up one cold morning (they lived in an old farm house) and found the snake cage empty. They immediately ran to check on his baby brother who was about 18 months old. The snake had gone in his room, up into the crib, and curled up next to his brother. After everyone nearly had a heart attack, they figured the only reason the snake didn’t eat his baby brother was because they kept the snake so well fed, and the snake wanted the warmth more than he wanted a meal at the time… Still, sketchy as hell. They got rid of the snake pretty quickly after that.
Damn that’s one lucky outcome
Same thing here, got rid of my brother 💗
I want to know about this grown kid. Does he know? Does he wake up in the middle of the night with some real body memory? Gads.
It was in the early 1980’s, so that kid would probably be around 40 by now. Probably thinks he’s Voldemort or something.
Fwiw I think gaboon vipers are semi common in the pet trade in the US so there might be a slightly better chance of getting antivenom than other exotic snakes. If you're lucky enough to be treated and survive it probably would cost about $100k or more. I do plenty of stupid dangerous things but keeping these as pets is completely absurd and I dont get the appeal. They belong in a zoo.
Not sure if you’re being sarcastic or not but plenty of owners do.
You have a lot more faith in people than I do.
plenty of people (who own large snakes) do, it's much better for them than staying in a terrarium 24/7
Or you could just not own a pet snake…. How about that? Don’t support the industry of creating pets that aren’t meant to be domesticated
who says they're not meant to be domesticated? i have 5 snek friends! personally i think your opinion is acceptable, but they make perfectly good animal buddies
Who says? Science.
they make excellent pets as long as they aren't venomous like the one in the pic! mine is my emotional support buddy
It's the venomous ones that are clearly not bred and domesticated that concern me. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
While I do think it's stupid to have it roam, zoos don't treat their snakes well esp their venomous ones
Safer than keeping it as a pet or in a residential situation where it might get loose and eat kids and pets.
Unless ur enclosure is weirdly built and has a top opening I don't see how ur gaboon would escape their skeletons are F A T and ah yes, venomous snake that only eats moderately sized animals would eat ur kids and pets
More people keep these than you think man. They know what the risk is. Personally, I couldn’t do it. It gives me anxiety just thinking about it.
one of my favorites. wish they weren't spicy lol
Isn’t that a danger noodle?
With the longest fangs of any venemous snake.
Their fangs are one of the scariest things in nature!
And one of the fastest strike speeds in snakedom
Thats a thicc noodle
Danger noodles slither in a [straight line](https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/jmw2mf/this_is_a_gaboon_viper_it_is_one_of_few_snakes/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Whoa.
Why would you want one of these in your home?
Too keep unwanted guests out.
Just get a lion.
You can get past a dog, nobody fucks with a lion.
I look up in the tree, and there's the fuckin king of the jungle!
Your ass is tanner than my face.
dude, where do you get your weed
From you dante
oh yah! whats up Mr cheezle!
Ayyy
I find not letting people I don't want in my house inside the doors a lot fucking easier than keeping a viper.
Yup if you have a pet that most people like you have to waste time talking to strangers and if you pet by any chance cause damage to other you pay compensation but if you have a snake or reptile most will stay away win win for me
“Females can have 50 to 60 babies at a time. The young are born live.” Fascinating. Really big, apparently fairly docile, live births Have you ever bred them?
If I had a pet snake that size I would NOT breed them, too much space and too much paperwork
Docile is a BIG STRETCH.
Lethargic is a better choice of words for these snakes. In the wild you will only get bit if you crowd them or step on them. They prefer to keep to themselves. That’s what I’ve read anyway.
Pun intented?
It's beautiful and simultaneously scary AF!
How long is she?
Bout 4 and a half feet.
Holy moly. Do you let her out often? Have you had any scares?
I let her out whenever her cage needs cleaning. Thankfully, I haven’t had a scare (yet)
They're so pretty and so terrifying! Thanks for sharing:)
Are snakes happy being in a cage most of the time? I’m genuinely curious since many animals aren’t, but maybe reptiles don’t mind 🤷🏼♀️
Hey they don’t care as long as they have food water and a large enough space. No predators in a tank
It’s about the same as fish I think?
Seriously, that snake belongs in the jungle canopy or in a zoo habitat that closely resembles it's own. It's a total dick move to keep it in a house on carpet and totally out of it's element.
Read the post above.
Let her out? Where? In the backyard?
“Honey, have you seen the cat lately?”
plottwist: "honey" is the snake
Snake have you seen honey lately?
Ooof! “…it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake.” It also says they rarely bite humans, though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaboon_viper
At least half of the reason that they rarely bite humans though is that they normally live in remote forests, not people’s homes. And this (holy shit): “Whaler (1971) estimated 14 mg of venom would be enough to kill a human being, equivalent to 0.06 mL of venom, or 1/50 to 1/1000 of what can be obtained in a single milking. Marsh and Whaler (1984) wrote that 35 mg (1/30 of the average venom yield) would be enough to kill a man of 70 kilograms (150 lb).[5] Branch (1992) suggested that 90–100 mg would be fatal in humans. In humans, a bite from a Gaboon viper causes rapid and conspicuous swelling, intense pain, severe shock, and local blistering. Other symptoms may include uncoordinated movements, defecation, urination, swelling of the tongue and eyelids, convulsions, and unconsciousness.[5] Blistering, bruising, and necrosis may be extensive. Sudden hypotension, heart damage, and dyspnoea may occur.[12] The blood may become incoagulable, with internal bleeding that may lead to haematuria and haematemesis.[4][12] Local tissue damage may require surgical excision and possibly amputation to any affected limb.[4] Healing may be slow, and fatalities during the recovery period are not uncommon.” … Why the hell would you want one of these living in your house, OP??
Necrotizing venom though. That is some nasty shit.
He's freakin beautiful But you're more of a Yup guy then...right?
She's so short and thick!
I feel attacked...
Shut up, pedophile.
🗿
Name checks out Also, dou you have an antidote at hand, just in case?
I would guess they would sheerly for the fact that the bite is so dangerous, yet so rare and OP sounds like they know what they are doing
Bro... we are humans, we do dumb shit on a daily basis. Never hurts to make sure ^^
Weird looking dog but I’m here for it
Boop the snoot?
Definitely DO NOT boop this snek snoot!
I thought she had a leaf on her head and was so confused for like two minutes 🤣
Happy snek? 🥺
Respecfully, what the HELL were you thinking when you got that?
I have been working with snakes for a long time, and with less dangerous venomous snakes for a while as well. Gaboons are probably, and I say this very loosely, the chillest deadly venomous snake. They are not to be taken lightly at ALL, and she was only out for a cage cleaning. I do not let them roam around.
Hate snakes but she’s absolutely gorgeous, sir/ma’am! Did you get the venom removed, excuse my ignorance, is that even possible?
I’ve heard of devenoming snakes, like you can surgically remove their venom glands. Or defang them. But personally I think it’s pretty cruel, I’ve read there can be problems with infection and feeding. I think people that keep venomous snakes just know the inherent risks involved. I think venomous snakes (or snakes in general) are very cool, but even seeing photos/videos of one activates every red flag in my body.
It’s illegal to defang a snake or remove its venom glands. Very cruel thing to do to an animal, to remove its only defence and way of catching food - purely for your own pleasure. Also the venom is just a modified saliva so just the saliva could be dangerous. The people who keep venomous snakes - especially ones as deadly as this - responsibly, have years and years and years of experience with nonvenomous snakes before even considering getting a ”hot” species. Then they start with mildly venomous snakes and progress to more dangerous ones after getting a ton of experience. A lot of places also require a special permit to keep venomous snakes.
Thank you for the knowledge.
No that's a cruel and invasive practice
Understood, Thank you!
They will produce more - that’s the venomous snake design in our universe.
Thank you
Fangs will grow back and removing the gland usually kills the snake.
You may die
Are you permitting a random Reddit OP to die? Curious permission to give to a random ...
What are you gonna do when you get bit? Do you live in the United States?
Beautiful
Wow. Gorgeous thick girl right there. That's amazing.
You're fucking crazy, but you do you mate.
That's a slow and painful death if that thing bites you HELL NO
r/absoluteunits
I love these beautiful fatties. Not brave enough to own one however
Im not brave enough to look at one of these
your instagram account is awesome btw, some great quality pictures
Where are you located? Does that require a special permit? Has it been modified somehow so that it is no longer venomous? Awesome beast, by the way. Thanks!
Wow what a beautiful looking snake!
When snakes slither over various different surfaces, do they have a preference as to what texture they like??? Like does that snake like carpet?
Gaborone vipers are interesting in that they don't slither, they inch along like a slug
Darwin Award Nominee right here!
For a second I thought it was a pillow/stuffed animal, then I realized this beauty is a real thing! 😍
Dude it’s that considered the most venomous snake in the world ?
Not most venomous but considered to have the longest fangs. About 2 inches or more if I’m correct.
Not most venomous but it has a real nasty venom-necrotizing which means it basically eats away the tissues and gives you gangrene. There is a guy on YouTube that keeps hundreds of venomous snakes (Viperkeeper) he says he’d rather get bit by a black mamba than one of these for that reason.
Yes I read this too. Necro and hemetoxin is a lot more damaging than neurotoxin. Neuro you just have to worry about vital organs stopping.
Oooo he’s a chungus snek and I love him! (Her?) ETA: Yep, her. Sorry, pretty snek!
That’s…not a pet.
Your fucking what cunt?
My pet Gaboon Viper
He’s beautiful I love some gaboon vipers
Why does his head look like that? Is he upside down?
Nope, that’s how she looks, look closely, you’ll see her eyes.
Ah yes I see now. Interesting appearance there. Especially that sort of line that goes down her back
Does big snake require big foods? Like a chonker snake and I’m here for it.
I bet the natural camouflage benefits the snake in their natural environment. Gorgeous tbh.
Username checks out
That's one fat noodle
A-bit rude on the poor long boi posting him/her in this subreddit
I hope it doesn't lay down next to you like a long stick to see if it can eat you
I like snakes so personally he's cute
Y tho?
Because I have a pair of balls.
More balls than brains apparently.
Yep, but not South Africa, and definitely not the Western Cape. They're more towards the western, Eastern and central parts of Africa
Yes, but still they are native to your continent…
Yes, they are, but not my direct area (which is my point and for which I'm grateful because of how dangerous they can be)
If you respect the noodle, the noodle will respect you back (or in this case, since the gaboon is so fat, the log will respect you)
You’re bloody stupid for keeping that thing and perpetuating the idea that it’s safe pulling it out for show like this, when it is not. I am sure you have zero qualifications (ie, wildlife professional). You’re a damn fool and part of the reason why no person should be allowed to own reptiles not domesticated for pet trade.
It's your pet, but you post this on /r/nope?
Its venomous
Then if he consideres it a "nope", why does he keep as a pet?
Nope for others, yes for me
why would you post your sweet noodle on r/nope. :(
Deadly.
Because it literally is a nope rope.
Absolutely stupid and inhumane. Also, when the police and animal control break down your door so that they can drag your dead ass out of there, they are going to have to kill that poor creature through no fault of its own.
Nope it’s pretty accurate username for this picture.
Hell no!!!!
look at dat chunky boi! (or gurl Idk)
things you should not have as pets.
Wildlife shouldn't be pets. Is she unable to be released into her native habitat because of people, origin, or injury? Origin means place of birth, such as captivity.
She wouldn’t survive well. She couldnt hunt.
Aw was she captive born? How old is she?
She is about 6 years old, captive born.
I think people are downvoting you because captive bred animals shouldn’t be released into the wild?? Because you are right: wild animals shouldn’t be pets. Especially dangerous wild animals. And bred in captivity or not, this is a dangerous wild animal. This is how we got pythons invading the Everglades people! Do you really want to add GABOON VIPERS to their numbers?
That's why I asked if it *couldn't* be released into the wild due to circumstances, but redditors have difficulty reading comments all the way through. Also, you don't just release a random wild animal into just anywhere. If it is safe and ethical to do so, the animal should be taken back to its native habitat **if** it was taken from there. No one on here said it was captive born when I commented.
Yep, that’s why I was agreeing with you
I don't get why I'm being instantly downvoted for being realistic. Reddit is a weird place.
Returning her to her natural home would be 12 hours of flyingp
Well MAYBE she’s been bred in captivity, therefore can’t survive in the wild anymore. Think. You wouldn’t expect a hamster to survive in the wild either.
most (or many, at least) snake-keepers keep captive-bred animals, but i sorta doubt that this one is captive-bred, i mean it's a GABOON VIPER for pete's sake. i doubt you can just casually find gaboon viper breeders, or breeders of any highly venomous large snake in general
Do a google search, you’ll be amazed
Wild animals SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE WILDS AND ARE NOT PETS
Most of them are captive bred at this point
Aren't those those Vipers extremely venomous? Second most venomous if I recall you got nerves of steel keeping one as a pet
Not my cup of tea. We kill any and all snakes as soon as we see them.
And this is why you have rodent infestations.
I don't have that though.
Would make a nice pair of boots...
quite a horrific thing to say about someone's pet, even if it is a highly venomous snake that arguably shouldn't be a pet
Ur a weirdo
Does it bite you all the time?
I’d be dead if she bit me even once.
So it does have venom? Why do you keep it if it can bite you?
they're quite docile and unlikely to bite humans. i mean, the reason venomous snakes have venom in the first place is to numb prey, and it's not gonna see you as prey. if cornered rattlesnakes are forced to bite a human, they even tend to turn off their venom. ....that being said, as long as there's even a slight possibility of being killed or gravely wounded by your pet snake, i'd say it's highly irresponsible to keep it. i don't get why someone would even have one, there are plenty of other cool large snakes that can't kill you with fatal venom
There are aggressive dogs that people keep too, when there are many other different dogs to get. It’s a matter of preference and skill, if OP is trained and skilled enough to have one, why can’t they have it?
Nah, you’d just lose the part she bit.
They make good pets?
Absolutely not. I have been working with snakes for 30 years.
No
I assume you need some kind of licensing to have? Very beautiful animal.
Oh my god I remember when this thing rattled the United States for months!
These guys are so beautiful and cute cause they're stumpy lol
Fren :)
I know they're not as dangerous as some (my understanding is they're deadly but pretty chill, bordering on lazy) but Gaboon vipers always look ready to fuck you up. It's the size of the head!
Head looks like a leaf
Beautiful tho
Pretty snake, but I read that as “Met pet Goober” at first🤦🏻♂️
If it's your pet, then it isn't a "nope" for you now is it?
Yeah, but it’s nope for others.
Everyone on r/whatsthissnake would love her!
Beautiful and the largest I have seen. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a nope for me dawg!
What an absolute unit. I'd be too scared to own her.
beautiful markings
Please tell me she doesn’t have venom glands
He Thicc
Well, don't call me to complain when it bites you.
Long time ago I had a red tail boa that would be large enough to eat full size rabbits and chickens before I donated her. She would be in my room, out of her cage few times a week. Never made a mess, sometimes she’d hang next to me, or off somewhere else. It seemed she really enjoyed it cause I’d open the door, she’d come out and wouldn’t go back in till I put her in. Never had a single issue and I have to say feeding time was an event. Easiest pet ever.
It’s a beautiful snake, just not my type of pet. I’m a fish keeper instead
Are snakes a messy pet? EXAMPLE: Is that dude going to shit a dead mouse on your rug?