Gaboon Viper by PSDuck
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
This snake inhabits African equatorial forests. It lies on the forest floor, as an ambush predator. It's beautifully patterned skin gives it excellent camouflage in the leaves and forest floor covering. Generally docile (and thus greatly under-respected by man), they can strike with lightning fast speed. Very agile, their strike range is not only forward, but sideways, rearward and directly upward! Fangs can get around 2 inches (54mm). They usually weigh in at 18 pounds (8kg) and get to be 7 feet long (2.1m), making it one of the largest vipers. The intersting (and deadly) aspect of this viper is that when they strike, they hold on, with their fangs still buried in the victim. More venom can be pumped into the target in this way. (Humans have their legs or arms bitten, then the snake wraps itself around the appendage, injecting more venom. This is how most human fatalities occur.) The female births around 50 live snakelings.
This viper is a rescue.
I'd like to thank No Limit Exotic Pets and Rescue of Portland, Oregon for letting me photograph this most beautiful, and deadly, creature.
Thank you for viewing this submission. If you're bad, I hope all you get is a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking, and nothing like this critter!
A big "Thanks" to all of you who have favorited me or one of my photos.
To all Americans everywhere, especially those in service and away from home: A very Happy Thanksgiving wish goes out to you and your families. God bless you!
Comments (23)
lick.a.witch
I love it when new folk comment on my images. It means I get to return the compliment, and boy do you deserve it! This is a true stunner, both the shot and the absolutely beautiful Viper! I have a passion for snakes and seeing this image has made my day! ^=^
Iceshark39
An absolutely stunning specimen of the species! And love all the information on the snake too. I remember the first time I even heard of one of these snakes was in an old Guinness Worlds Records book. Snake had somehow managed to sink it's two and a half inch fangs into itself. (ouch!) The patterning on this one, though, is just stunning!
SWard80
Excellent capture!
mininessie
awesome pic and great info...very apreciated as always Allen!! hugs! :D
Rhanagaz
Great capture and excellent info about this viper! Snakes of this kind is very fascinating but absolutely no pets! ;o)
renecyberdoc
very impressive my man.
momof4rugrats
orgeous capture!!
leroysquab
Well, it's got my respect now! Great shot!
ichtvan
Excellente photo, assez impressionnante même. Les explications sont des plus intéressantes. Bonne fête de Thanksgiving de la part d'un frenchy. ( attention les dindes )
Erestorfan
Wow...nice shot of a VERY poisonous snake!! You said it was a rescue...wow, did a private citizen have this snake? That's as bad as having a loaded gun in the house! Well, actually I think I'd rather face a loaded gun than one of these snakes, LOL.
flavia49
great
sandra46
GORGEOUS IMAGE!
PSDuck
@Erestorfan: a loaded gun will not go off and shoot you on it's own, but that snake will! I have been too close to a black mamba - once! - and let me tell you, it had an attitiude! I prefer this one....if I had to choose. Yes, someone had this creature as a "pet". The owner of No Limit is adamant that the snake is not for sale. He is looking for a zoo or poisonous snake exhibit that will take him. (I agree, poisonous critters fo any kind do not belong in a home, with or without children.) Thanks for the comments and glad you liked the photo!
mariogiannecchini
Una bestiola da evitare accuratamente , Allen !Great capture !
eekdog
snakes creep me out, really a superb shot..
cfulton
Whew! My Dad prospected in East Africa as a youngster and walking through a forest stepped on one of these. Thankfully just behind the head, knowing this snakes agility he did not lift his foot, rather placed the other one towards the tail. He then shot between his legs and made sure it was dead before stepping off. Good for me, otherwise I would not be around to type this... Clive
pspworkshop
Great shot!
Flixthe
C'est intéressant de voir autant de détails de ce serpent.
Richardphotos
I always give snakes a wide birth except for little garden variety.outstanding shot
danapommet
Super head shot and a great look at the horns in zoom mode. Dana
FaeMoon
Awesome photo. As a youngster I loved to read about creatures like this and I still remember the bad dream I had after reading about one of these guys. You are braver than I, getting close enough to photograph it.
junge1
Excellent capture.
CloverLinda
2 inch fangs. Glad they're not around here. Good shot.