Wonderful Wagler's!

[Will0W783]

This thread is for one of my favorite snake species of all-time: the Wagler's pitviper, aka temple viper.

I am blessed to own a beautiful Malaysian phase adult female, and a neon green subadult female Sulawesi phase. Both girls are pleasant-mannered, awesome eating machines.
Wagler's are a very high humidity snake, and most problems that people have with acclimating them and successfully raising babies is because they misunderstand the sheer amount of hydration these animals require to thrive in captivity. In the wild, they spend their time in trees and bushes deep in the South American rainforest, often near bodies of water. I use the "aqua-cage" method of housing: I have watertight, ABS plastic cages, with no substrate and large water bowls. I use non-porous perches, lots of plastic vines and plants, and resin sculptures for decoration and perching. The cages are hooked into an automatic misting system which produces a fine, fog-like mist for 1 minute every 2 hours. This results in extra water which collects on the floor of the cage and is aerated with an airstone. The water is siphoned out once a month to prevent algae growth and bacteria. In addition, my Wagler's vipers enjoy weekly 45-60 minute soaks in warm water. They have incredibly slow metabolic rates, and are therefore fed once every 3-4 weeks. They will pass urates frequently, but can go 3-6 months without passing much fecal matter. They are given additional water with a tattoo-shop-style wash bottle, which allows me to dribble large droplets directly onto their noses for them to suck down.

My large Malaysian (black, green, yellow and white) female is named Bisa Ular, which means "venom snake" in Malay. The green Sulawesi female needs a name yet.

Here they are, Enjoy!

First is Bisa, my adult Malaysian phase:
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/2bbea925.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/8b55d144.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/114afa33.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/c006f98d.jpg

[Will0W783]

And next is my new little girl, the bright green Sulawesi phase we still need to name:

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/7445bd4d.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/6a597a89.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/90ad76b7.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/763c262c.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/a2461209.jpg

[alessia55]

They look great as always, Kim
You should put some sort of reference in some of the pics to show their size. Bisa has some size to her, but the new girl is really quite small, and the pics don't show that :)

Also, you + new snake = me coming over for new photos, right? I didn't get a chance to last time :D

[Gungirl]

Amazing snakes as usual Kim.

[MoreliAddict]

two of my favorite snakes on this site. you have awesome taste, kimber

[Will0W783]

Also, you + new snake = me coming over for new photos, right? I didn't get a chance to last time

You bet, Alessia! Let me know when you want to come over!


For reference, Bisa is about 3.5 feet long, and the new girl is maybe 1.5-2 feet.

[Swany]

Wow stunning. Thanks for sharing these ;-)

[Will0W783]

Thanks, guys. Wagler's vipers really are great animals to keep. I consider them an excellent introduction to arboreal vipers if one has experience with high-humidity species. During the day these guys have a surprisingly laid-back temperament, and neither has struck at me at all. I still use utmost care when handling- gloves, hooks, etc-- but they are very docile hots. At night or when hungry; however, they are startlingly quick and alert....they track every movement and point their huge heat pits at any motion. They are serious pitvipers- huge arrow shaped heads, massive heat pits in proportion to the face, and bulging venom glands in the cheeks, yet for all their intimidating looks, they are wonderful to work with.

They are also reportedly mild in their venom potency; however, there is not a specific antivenin and the available ones do not work for all localities, so they still need to be treated very very carefully and never underestimated.

[DragonsEye]

Gorgeous creatures! I particularly love your new girl.

Q: Is air circulation (a lack thereof) an issue with your tanks?

[Will0W783]

DragonsEve...not with the ones I'm using. I use Herpcages' models for my Wags, which have screen lids and small rear vents. I've found that these seem to strike a good balance between holding humidity and venting air. Also, the ceramic heat emitter bulbs I use on top of the cages seem to create good radiant air movement. I have yet to have any issue with mold at all.

[DragonsEye]

Cool! Mold was my biggest concern. I grow some mini orchids in terrariums and have seen the mold issue that can occur without decent air circulation so I was interested in how you approached the problem. :)

[CK SandBoas]

Both of those are truly amazing!!! :)

[Trent]

Awesome pics!

[Lankyrob]

Wow those snakes are seven kinds of AWESOME!!! MAke sure we get some regular updates PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE!! :)

[Swany]

My first look was on my ipod, now I've just seen the pics on my laptop and these are truly STUNNING. Thanks for the photos.
Alessia please take LOTS & LOTS of shots ;-)

[red ink]

Nice snakes... moving arrows lol.

[KORBIN5895]

Very nice. I would name her pookie.

[Will0W783]

They really do have arrow heads...they look like they're going to snap their delicate necks just trying to lift their huge noggins. A nicely proportioned pitviper truly is a thing of beauty! I'm very fortunate to have two such wonderful girls. :)

[jarich]

Wow! Those are gorgeous snakes! The green phase is especially awesome. Ive said it a number of times but again, so jealous of your collection.

I know you said you dont have mold issues but have you ever had any fungi? My GTP enclosure every once in awhile gets the odd mushroom. Im not sure if its any kind of problem, though I take them out right away anyway.

[Norm66]

Beautiful. I'm particularly fond of the green one. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Will0W783]

I have not had issues with the Wagler's, as I am paranoid with them. They are quite susceptible to respiratory issues, so I check them like a hawk. I did used to have a bit of issue with my GTP cage if I didn't remove poops immediately. He liked to poop behind the water dish so I sometimes wouldn't see it and it would get moldy. I learned quickly to move all cage furniture around when checking for wastes!

[jarich]

Ya, Im the same way, very religious about humidity levels and taking out the poop right away, so never any mold issues. He makes it easy as he always poops in the same place too. The mushrooms Im talking about arent a result of any wastes, they are always right around the area of the water dish, Im guessing as a result of the slightly higher humidity there. Again, Im not really concerned, just wondering if this was a thing other people had happen.

[Gungirl]

Jarich, what are you using for a sub-straight? I wouldn't be to happy if I saw anything growing in my vivs.

[jarich]

A mix of soil with a little sand (with a layer of pebbles, charcoal, and sand under that). Its a totally natural habitat with live plants and live moss, so I want lots of growing happening in there!

[Gungirl]

Ok well that explains it then... lol

[jaleely]

with mushrooms you have to scoop out the surrounding area and be delicate with removal, becuase they release spores. They wouldn't actually hurt anything, except that when they die they do tend to make an icky goo rot mess.

and willow...i adore vipers! i love their heads, they're look, everything. These two are particularly beautiful and stunning. I'm so insecure in my husbandry habits. as much as i love the look of hots (i think rattlesnakes are my fav) and they're so cute when they're fiesty...i know better. I'm lazy and clumsy! Not a good combo *lol*
you do an amazing job with all your beauties though!

[AaronRiot]

Both your Wagler's are stunning. The second Sula pic is incredible, likely my favourite pic of a Wagler's to date. In a word: Crisp.


OT-Yeah, the mushroom is the fruit of sorts, the majority of the fungi grows underground, which is why they keep popping up ;)

[SSSSnakes]

Awesome looking snakes.

[marvelfreak]

And next is my new little girl, the bright green Sulawesi phase we still need to name:

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/6a597a89.jpg

Wow Kimberly they are so sweet looking. This picture is just insane. She looks like she wants to rip your face off and then eat your soul. She looks like pure evil.

[Will0W783]

Thanks Chuck. That's what I love about Wagler's...they look like scary serious pitvipers, like they would just lash out at you and destroy you....yet they are very docile in demeanor and behavior. If you manage to get yourself bitten by a Wagler's viper, you were really asking for it. They just don't seem to want to bite. I have to tease them with food to get them to strike it.

[Caylan]

These are great shots of a really cool species! Thansk so much for posting, Caylan.S.

[Nismo89]

Gorgeous snakes I'm jealous lol. I would love to own one someday but that is a long long long ways down the road.

[alessia55]

I was at Kim's house last night and today... Got some photos of her Waglers...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/IMG_0290.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/IMG_0300.jpg

[Swany]

As always Alessia great pics, the bottom one is a truly beautiful snake :-)

[alessia55]

Two more...

I played around with black&white

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/IMG_0303.jpg

and one more of the other one

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/IMG_0296.jpg

[beardeds4life]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:wow some day LOL

[Will0W783]

Alessia, the pictures look amazing!!! :)

[shaunyboy]

that green is so vibrant and their head shape is awsome

its nuts how something that beautifull is so deadly :shocked:

cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

That second pic makes me wonder how something can look SO evil yet SO beautiful at the same time :)

[Will0W783]

its nuts how something that beautifull is so deadly

Shauny, Wagler's venom is actually fairly mild...there is no verified fatality on record from a Wagler's viper. However, it would not be fun to be tagged, and there is really no telling how your individual body will react. I wouldn't think it would be likely to kill you, but you could lose flesh or a digit. I'm honestly not sure, as I can't find any records of bites in literature.

[Swany]

@willow I'm honestly not sure

Try and keep it that way Kim, please ;-)

[Gungirl]

I have to ask who is holding the green one?

I always look at any venomous snake as hands off unless you have no other choice. I know that gloves are being worn and the snake is little but I still see it as an un-needed risk.

[Will0W783]

Kat, I'm holding it with a Venom Defender glove on. It was only for a few seconds to take that picture, and then she was back on the hook. Wagler's tend to be pretty docile for venomous, and their venom is mild, but the green one is way too jumpy to attempt that again. I would not allow any of my other hots onto my glove - but you're right...probably shouldn't make concessions for the docile species.

The gloves are puncture, needlestick, and tear-resistant, and have been tested with things as large as king cobras and gaboon vipers. I generally don't trust the gloves as sole protection, and hooks are used. I had hooked the snake out, and she was on the hook, but started climbing when Alessia was shooting pictures, so I let her on the fingers of the gloves. I was very aware of her length and position to keep her away from the main body of the gloves and keep the edges out of her strike range. It was only for the one picture shoot- I won't be doing it again because it is a risk.

[Gungirl]

I know you know your stuff, I just like knowing you are not going to the ER too! :)

[Will0W783]

I know you know your stuff, I just like knowing you are not going to the ER too!

No problem Kat..it didn't offend me at all. :) It's good advice and I won't be doing another gloved holding photo session. I certainly don't want to ever become a statistic, or to end up in the hospital with a bill I can't afford.

[Becky Goings]

I have no desire to ever have hots, but those are absolutely stunning!!!! Especially your new girl! I'd go with something that means queen or something like that in the native language from their normal home! I love seeing your pic threads, you have beautiful snakes, and take excellent pics! :)

[Will0W783]

Becky that's an awesome idea- my black Wagler's is named "Bisa Ular" which is "venomous snake" in Malay, the native language where she's from.

[Will0W783]

Here's some happy Wagler's vipers eating their meals! BTW, I've named the new girl "Jade" because of her bright green coloration.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/69aaafee.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/135f3262.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/Will0W783/fa806cd3.jpg

[alessia55]

ew that open rat is gross lol :p

the Wagler's look great though!!

[Will0W783]

I know...Bisa was so hungry she just sliced it right through with her fangs. It was kind of cool too though...gross, yet neat. LOL

[youngster]

the intestines look like beardie urates lol

[Will0W783]

Ewwww! Bearded dragon waste has got to be the nastiest-smelling stuff on earth!! My fiance used to have one, and every time it went to the bathroom, it was bad enough to choke a donkey.

[youngster]

I concur, my beardie isn't pooping much this time of year so it's been okay though :p

[jarich]

No doubt! I have to get up the second mine craps and clean it immediately otherwise the whole room stinks