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RE: black mambas
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by bush_viper17 on November 23, 2004
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It depends. 1.If you state allows you to keep exotic venomous animals then it would be easier to acquire. If youre state doesnt then it would be harder to get one. But they are very expensive and very,very, dangerous if you dont know what to expect. They are definetly not for the ametuer keeper(Im not saying you are)They also grow to be one of the longest venomous snakes in the world sometimes pushing 13'. They would require a fairly large enclosure with alot of canopy. They arent as arboreal as the other species of mamba but they do like to climb. And if you do get one I would get antivenin too,because withouth antivenin there's a 100 % chance you will die. And if you get bitten you can go ahead and know for a fact that you have been envenomated because they have no dry bite.
Im sorry writing so much, I know you just asked a simple question :Is it easy to get one,but I just took the time to tell you something just incase you didnt know. And if you do decide to get one, ask other people about keeping them. I, personally, have never kept a black mamba. I only know what Ive read or watched on t.v. But they probably arent as bad as some people say. Again Im sorry for answering more than you asked.
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RE: black mambas
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by Phobos on November 23, 2004
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Hi Grace:
Since I don't know you from previous posts or know your experience level lets start at square one.
In my opinion no venomous snake should be kept as a "Pet". If you want a pet, get a traditional animal, cat,dog etc...
Any Mamba is very tricky to deal with even for very experienced keeper. Absolutely NOT a beginners snake! Guess why it is not commomly seen in Zoo collections? Because many Zoo keepers think it's too hot to handle.
Keeping exotics is not legal in some States as Jeremy noted, check your local Fish & Wildlife Dept. for what's allowed.
Why have something in your collection who's sole purpose in life is to kill you everytime you open the cage door.
Enough said,
Al
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RE: black mambas
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by tj on November 23, 2004
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I think we overlooked something, she asked if it was easy to GET a mamba as a pet. The unfortunate truth is that it is VERY easy to get pretty much any venomous snake one wants, especially via the internet. Whether or not a person is capable of keeping or "handling" the snake safely is a different story. It's getting too easy for someone to buy a venomous snake, especially with all the lowlife dealers there are out there.
It's one of the reasons, amongst others, that is getting venomous reptile keeping banned all over the place.
I apologize if I read into her question wrong. And, I hope that this isn't taken as advice to go out and buy a potentially dangerous animal, that, without the proper training and responsibility level, has the ability
to inflict a life-threatening bite.
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RE: black mambas
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by Buzztail1 on November 23, 2004
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Grace,
It is not difficult to find Black Mambas that are for sale.
In theory, anyone with a Black Mamba for sale would make sure that the intended buyer is ready to take on the responsibility of keeping a Black Mamba. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case with all venomous snake vendors, and so it is entirely possible that a Black Mamba could wind up in the hands of a novice who might think of it as a pet, albeit a very lethal one.
I sincerely doubt that, no matter how hard you search, you will ever find someone who keeps or has kept Black Mambas and would honestly call them pets.
R/
Karl H. Betz
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RE: black mambas
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by ALA_herp31 on November 23, 2004
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I would never recomend anyone to own a Black Mamba. This snake puts a whole new swing on the words venomous snake bite. If you would fill out your profile so we can know your expearence level it would help, but as for my opinion I would never and I mean never keep a Black Mamba. I hope your not planing on geting one thinking its a pet. That would be like going to India tacking a tiger strait from the wild and calling it your pet. Sorry for being so negative, but I would hate to see you get into a bad situation...........Happy herping Wally
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RE: black mambas
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Anonymous post on November 24, 2004
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Assuming we aren't feeding a troll, I have a few comments regarding this question.
Venomous snakes are not pets, and they should not be kept as such. We are talking about a group of wild animals. These animals do not enjoy our interraction, like the domesticated dog or cat. Their wild nature dictates their actions for the most part, and this same wild nature...instinct, should be deemed the only real intelligence the animal has. Thus, it is not and never will be... a pet.
Dendroaspis polylepis do appear to have a thought process to some extent. They possess many other attributes as well.
They possess an extremely toxic venom. The neurotoxic and cardiotoxic components are well emphasized, and any untreated envenomated bite will most certainly be fatal. The smallest fang scratch is a very serious cause for concern, and symptoms of envenomation may be exhibited w/in 60 seconds.
Dendroaspis polylepis are Africa's longest venomous snake, 2nd in the world of length rivaling the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah to 18ft) reaching lengths up to 14ft. Any adult will be easily capapble of delivering venom many more times than the lethal dose.
Don't quote me on this, but I think I am right.....I am usually right......i've only been wrong once...but then again, I only thought I was wrong. Dendroaspis polylepis hold the record in Guiness as the fastest moving snake. Reports published indicate that a Dendroaspis polylepis was "clocked" at 8mph. This is the speed of a man's light jogging stride. Try working w/ something like this in more confined quarters. Would you want to work w/ something so dangerous in such a situation?
Given these factors, their wild instinct, and a thought process twist, be advised that the captive maintenance of D. polylepis is best reserved for the most professional collectors and zoological exhibits.
-The Phantom
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RE: black mambas
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by Richie on November 24, 2004
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Hi all.
Anyone who knows anything about snakes, knows about the reputation of the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). Their agility, speed, unpredictable demeanor and venom toxicity are legendary.
NOBODY should consider keeping "the king of African snakes" unless they are very and I mean VERY experienced venomous keepers.
But I am unhappy with people's generalisations. Remember this guys...
WILD CAUGHT Black Mambas are very skittish and very nervous, fleeing in fear if disturbed and defending themselves if cornered (all for obvious reasons).
Having recently worked with two CAPTIVE BRED Black Mambas, I can tell you that they were very different. They were very calm when approached and never displayed ANY sign of defensive behaviour. For sure, if they were pissed off or startled they would be equally dangerous to be around, but captivity does tend to "mellow" them to some extent.
I am not downplaying the dangers of keeping Black Mambas, or the threat they pose to a keeper - but they aren't all like the legendary beasts roaming the wilds of Africa!
Viperman (U.K)
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RE: black mambas
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Anonymous post on November 25, 2004
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I disagree w/ your post to some extent. All mambas are skittish, nervous, and will defend themselves if cornered. No arguments here, but having worked w/ numerous wildcaught and captive bred specimens, I feel that is incorrect to describe captive bred specimens as being "different" and mellow. I am not trying to pick your post apart. You are right, fresh wildcaught D. polylepis tend to be very aggressive; however, I have seen exceptions. The same goes for captive bred specimens too. If you spend a long period of time w/ the species, the over exaggerated testimonies become obvious. It's important to remember with all intelligent snakes that they are individuals w/ their own personalities. One may predict what to expect from the species, but all in all it boils down to the disposition of the animal. Any other thoughts on this?
-The Phantom
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RE: black mambas
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by Richie on November 26, 2004
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Hello Phantom.
I described the Black Mambas that I worked with as "different" and "mellow" to emphasize the fact that captive bred specimens are NOT like wild caught specimens.
I felt that other site members were characterising ALL Black Mambas as the "typical" wild caught beasties that we all hear about - which is inaccurate.
Captivity DOES tend to calm Black Mambas somewhat, compared with their wild state (like many other reptiles that are kept in captivity). Captive bred Black Mambas seem more TOLERANT of humans than wild caught ones. They tend to grow accustomed to human interaction because over time they learn that the keeper poses no threat and hence they become less uneasy in our presence.
They do all have their own personality and tolerance level... some will be MORE nervous than others. But one thing is for sure - they would ALL kill as readily as each other, if they felt so inclined.
Regards
Viperman (U.K)
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