They sure have a wide noggin that's for sure. Bet he's got some healthy venom glands. The first time I saw a gaboon I was amazed at their coloration pattern and their skin almost looks like velvet. Seems like I remember one of them almost having a Carolina blue tone to its stripes. You don't see that many. I think I've seen two gaboons total. KDC, I agree about keeping snakes as pets in most cases..especially venomous ones. However, the contrictors just seem to prefer to eat and sleep. I guess snakes could get bored, too, though. If there was a case of a snake belonging in the wild, it probably would be the King Cobra. It seemed much more intelligent than the other snakes, wanting to hunt and explore. I'm not sure any glass enclosure is big enough...about like trying to keep a bald eagle in an aviary. Just doesn't seem right. However, if one specimen helps conservation efforts (and is treated well) for an entire species, I could see a benefit. My respect for the King Cobra was amplified that day.
I know exactly the place you are talking about. We took DS there a couple years ago, and I spent the entire time being freaked out, LOL. I wish some of these zoos, etc would do more to make the habitats more natural, but I guess the money only goes so far. I personally hate most zoos, etc and prefer not to go. I realize they have their educational purposes, but I hate to see wild animals caged up. (I don't go to circus's, I am that opposed to training "wild" animals for entertainment)
In the past I've owned several Bearded Dragons, African Fat Tail Geckos and currently own 2 Ball Pythons, a Corn snake, and a Columbian Red Tail Boa. Would like to have a Gaboon, any of the assorted tree boas/pythons, a Frilled Dragon, and last but not least a Caiman. Wife says no to the Gaboon and Caiman......something about the Caiman eating small children and animals. :mrgreen:
Believe it or not, there was a pet store over in Rocky Mount about 20 years ago that had a baby caiman swimming around inside of a ornamental pond at the front of their store where ANYBODY could have stuck their hand in there...including kids. It was a fairly little thing, but I know it would have given a nasty bite to a small toddler with no sense of danger there. To make matters worse, it was in Tarrytown Mall at the front entrance.
Yea...I just moved my feet from the floor up onto my chair. I was about to go outside and work in the yard but am re-thinking that now!! Last week, DH and I cleared out some overgrown branches and vines behind our storage barn. The next morning we found a snake skin on the other side of the barn...so I'm HOPING we scared it OUT!! My FIL has killed two in his yard the past couple of weeks and my neighbors killed a Copperhead down at their horse barn over the weekend. I DO NOT LIKE THEM HERE OR THERE, I DO NOT LIKE THEM ANYWHERE!:shock:
I don't why, but that struck me funny. :lol: About the same with me and especially so if I find a venomous one in my yard. With a kid and a dog, it's gotta be taken out.
<----is the Steve Irwin of the Cul de sac. When any of our neighbors find a snake or see a snake they send the kids running to get me, as they know I'll relocate any of them, venomous or not.
