@viperkeeper.bsky.social
Founder of National Snake Bite Support 501(c)(3). nationalsnakebite.org , Venomous Snake Keeper, Electron Microscopist, See my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/viperkeeper
The Golden Lancehead (Bothrops insularis) I saw while at the famous Instituto Butan Tan in Brazil. An extremely venomous pit viper, analysis of the venom of B. insularis suggests that it is five times as potent as that of B. jararaca and is the fastest-acting venom in the genus Bothrops. 🐍
October 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The Golden Lancehead (Bothrops insularis) I saw while at the famous Instituto Butan Tan in Brazil. An extremely venomous pit viper, analysis of the venom of B. insularis suggests that it is five times as potent as that of B. jararaca and is the fastest-acting venom in the genus Bothrops. 🐍
As I said in my Bio, I started a non-profit that helps US snakebite victims get proper medical care. This care also included companion animals. This is a "proper" treatment algorithm for Pets, developed by many Veterinary experts that help pets on NSS. Share this with others.
October 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
As I said in my Bio, I started a non-profit that helps US snakebite victims get proper medical care. This care also included companion animals. This is a "proper" treatment algorithm for Pets, developed by many Veterinary experts that help pets on NSS. Share this with others.
Papuan Rough Death Adder (Acanthophis rugosus) sunning herself on her log. The snake looks like a Viper but is actually an Elapid and is high Neurotoxic. An ambush predator is like a "Land Mine", don't know it's there till it too late. 🐍
April 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Papuan Rough Death Adder (Acanthophis rugosus) sunning herself on her log. The snake looks like a Viper but is actually an Elapid and is high Neurotoxic. An ambush predator is like a "Land Mine", don't know it's there till it too late. 🐍
A wild Western Diamondback Rattlesnake I encountered North of Phoenix. The key identifying feature to differentiate from a Mohave R/S is the so called "Coon-tail", a complete, obvious banded tail. A snake you want to avoid being bitten by but, the chance of death is very low. 🐍
April 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
A wild Western Diamondback Rattlesnake I encountered North of Phoenix. The key identifying feature to differentiate from a Mohave R/S is the so called "Coon-tail", a complete, obvious banded tail. A snake you want to avoid being bitten by but, the chance of death is very low. 🐍
This newly hatched, highly venomous, Western Sawscale Viper (Echis ocellatus) was able to climb the moist walls of the incubator and squeeze out of the 5 mm diameter holes in the lid. I found it as you see it, not something you want loose in your house. I took further precautions in the future. 🐍
April 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This newly hatched, highly venomous, Western Sawscale Viper (Echis ocellatus) was able to climb the moist walls of the incubator and squeeze out of the 5 mm diameter holes in the lid. I found it as you see it, not something you want loose in your house. I took further precautions in the future. 🐍
In this lab I oversee we make substrates for Cryo Electron Microscopy. These substrates are made of pure Carbon, 1.38 millionths of an inch thick, with holes of varying sizes (1.2 micron pictured) that the samples are frozen making tiny windows of ice with the sample suspended in the hole. 🧪
March 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
In this lab I oversee we make substrates for Cryo Electron Microscopy. These substrates are made of pure Carbon, 1.38 millionths of an inch thick, with holes of varying sizes (1.2 micron pictured) that the samples are frozen making tiny windows of ice with the sample suspended in the hole. 🧪
The notorious African Puff Adder (Bitis arietans). A serious "Agro" snake with a very bad attitude. They are the record holder for producing the most babies in one clutch 168. Making them a very common, highly venomous snake throughout their range. 🐍
March 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The notorious African Puff Adder (Bitis arietans). A serious "Agro" snake with a very bad attitude. They are the record holder for producing the most babies in one clutch 168. Making them a very common, highly venomous snake throughout their range. 🐍
Some snakes in my collection you don't see often, simply because I interact with them when I only have to. No photo-ops for fun or clicks. This is one species, Deinagkistrodon acutus or Sharp nosed Pit Viper. A large snake with venom that melts your flesh. 🐍
March 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Some snakes in my collection you don't see often, simply because I interact with them when I only have to. No photo-ops for fun or clicks. This is one species, Deinagkistrodon acutus or Sharp nosed Pit Viper. A large snake with venom that melts your flesh. 🐍
Western Green Mamba's (Dendroaspis viridis) scales are distinctly different than Eastern Green Mamba's (D. augusticeps) scales. Western's have larger scales with distinct borders, whereas the Eastern' s have smaller scales and a uniform color. See both in 2015 image. 🐍
March 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Western Green Mamba's (Dendroaspis viridis) scales are distinctly different than Eastern Green Mamba's (D. augusticeps) scales. Western's have larger scales with distinct borders, whereas the Eastern' s have smaller scales and a uniform color. See both in 2015 image. 🐍
The small but mighty (toxic) Variable Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera). Commonly kept in collections because of their variable colors and patterns. Related by a common ancestor the Bush Vipers have very potently hemotoxic venom causing a consumptive coagulopathy. 🐍
March 18, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The small but mighty (toxic) Variable Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera). Commonly kept in collections because of their variable colors and patterns. Related by a common ancestor the Bush Vipers have very potently hemotoxic venom causing a consumptive coagulopathy. 🐍
Rare, beautiful, and deadly Ethiopian Mountain Adder (Bitis parviocula) found only on a few mountain tops in Ethiopia. Foul tempered like all members of this Genus has an unusual circular strike that really surprises you the first time you encounter it. 🐍
March 15, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Rare, beautiful, and deadly Ethiopian Mountain Adder (Bitis parviocula) found only on a few mountain tops in Ethiopia. Foul tempered like all members of this Genus has an unusual circular strike that really surprises you the first time you encounter it. 🐍
Found this beautiful male Malayans Pit Viper (Callosalasma rhodostoma) out cruzing in the rain forests near Krabi Thailand. Major cause of serious snakebites in the area. Venom causes consumptive coagulopathy and severe local tissue damage. 🐍
March 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Found this beautiful male Malayans Pit Viper (Callosalasma rhodostoma) out cruzing in the rain forests near Krabi Thailand. Major cause of serious snakebites in the area. Venom causes consumptive coagulopathy and severe local tissue damage. 🐍
A captive hatched juvenile Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) in a typical defensive posture. A dangerously lethal Colubrid causing massive hemorrhage and leakage of fluids from everywhere in your body. Absolutely fatal if not treated with the monovalent antivenom. Deadly-Beautiful for sure. 🐍
March 1, 2025 at 1:24 PM
A captive hatched juvenile Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) in a typical defensive posture. A dangerously lethal Colubrid causing massive hemorrhage and leakage of fluids from everywhere in your body. Absolutely fatal if not treated with the monovalent antivenom. Deadly-Beautiful for sure. 🐍
A newly hatched Papuan Taipan (Oxyuranus canni) get a drink of water. Lethal right out of the egg, these babies are frightfully fast and don't take prisoners. 🐍
February 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
A newly hatched Papuan Taipan (Oxyuranus canni) get a drink of water. Lethal right out of the egg, these babies are frightfully fast and don't take prisoners. 🐍
Western Green Mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) a difficult snake to handle. It's very "flighty" and can climb the hook in a heartbeat. Highly neurotoxic venom and it's high speed makes for excitement when it's time to clean the cage. 🐍
February 18, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Western Green Mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) a difficult snake to handle. It's very "flighty" and can climb the hook in a heartbeat. Highly neurotoxic venom and it's high speed makes for excitement when it's time to clean the cage. 🐍
"Elvis" my 14 foot Indonesian King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) enjoying the sunny windowsill while I serviced his cage. Elvis was very easy going except during feeding time, so he could be left out while I was working in the snake room at my facility. 🐍
February 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM
"Elvis" my 14 foot Indonesian King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) enjoying the sunny windowsill while I serviced his cage. Elvis was very easy going except during feeding time, so he could be left out while I was working in the snake room at my facility. 🐍
Eastern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis augusticeps) Generally the least volatile species of Mamba, but there's always an exception as with this individual. Depending where found in East Africa, they possess venom which quickly causes respiratory paralysis or just intense pain. 🐍
February 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Eastern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis augusticeps) Generally the least volatile species of Mamba, but there's always an exception as with this individual. Depending where found in East Africa, they possess venom which quickly causes respiratory paralysis or just intense pain. 🐍
Hatching Cape Coral Cobra's (Aspidelaps lubricus) is nocturnal, which means most of its activity and hunting occurs during the night. Bites are documented and report different effects ranging from no symptoms (possible bites without envenoming), mild symptoms to severe neurological signs. 🐍
February 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Hatching Cape Coral Cobra's (Aspidelaps lubricus) is nocturnal, which means most of its activity and hunting occurs during the night. Bites are documented and report different effects ranging from no symptoms (possible bites without envenoming), mild symptoms to severe neurological signs. 🐍
The Common Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) or Eastern Brown Snake common to Eastern Australia has extremely toxic venom that kills very quickly. Despite having lethal venom, this snake will also frequently constrict it's prey. They were very tricky to feed, lethal and very fast.🐍
February 8, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Common Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) or Eastern Brown Snake common to Eastern Australia has extremely toxic venom that kills very quickly. Despite having lethal venom, this snake will also frequently constrict it's prey. They were very tricky to feed, lethal and very fast.🐍
Mexican Green Rattlesnakes (Crotalus basiliscus) are just simply massive, only rivaled in size by the Eastern Diamond Back. Crotalus basiliscus is primarily active during the rainy summer months, and most specimens are found crossing the roads at night. 🐍
February 5, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Mexican Green Rattlesnakes (Crotalus basiliscus) are just simply massive, only rivaled in size by the Eastern Diamond Back. Crotalus basiliscus is primarily active during the rainy summer months, and most specimens are found crossing the roads at night. 🐍
Photography of venomous snakes is quite tricky, the goal is not to stress out the snake and most of all not get bit. The "Black Beast", a very large Black Spitting Cobra (Naja n. woodii) a rather relaxed specimen, never spat at me and was quite docile allowing me to scratch him on his back. 🐍
February 2, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Photography of venomous snakes is quite tricky, the goal is not to stress out the snake and most of all not get bit. The "Black Beast", a very large Black Spitting Cobra (Naja n. woodii) a rather relaxed specimen, never spat at me and was quite docile allowing me to scratch him on his back. 🐍
Ringed Water Cobras (Naja annulata) have beautiful markings and generally an easy going disposition (not assholes like other Naja). Their venom is unique among cobras, as it is purely Neurotoxic and does not contain pain producing Cytotoxins as do others in the Genus. 🐍
January 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Ringed Water Cobras (Naja annulata) have beautiful markings and generally an easy going disposition (not assholes like other Naja). Their venom is unique among cobras, as it is purely Neurotoxic and does not contain pain producing Cytotoxins as do others in the Genus. 🐍
Gloyd's Cantil (Agkistrodon howardgloydi), one of four species of Cantil found in Central America. Related to our domestic Copperhead and Water Moccasin, but with significantly more potent venom. 🐍
January 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Gloyd's Cantil (Agkistrodon howardgloydi), one of four species of Cantil found in Central America. Related to our domestic Copperhead and Water Moccasin, but with significantly more potent venom. 🐍
Painted Saw-scale viper (Echis coloratus) a very large male specimen. Usually irascible, this boy was very relaxed in my care, drinking from a water bottle and gently taking food from a pair of forceps. It's venom is used to produce a "clot buster" drug used to treat stroke or heart attack. 🐍
January 28, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Painted Saw-scale viper (Echis coloratus) a very large male specimen. Usually irascible, this boy was very relaxed in my care, drinking from a water bottle and gently taking food from a pair of forceps. It's venom is used to produce a "clot buster" drug used to treat stroke or heart attack. 🐍
A "spicy cinnamon bun", Russell's Viper (Daboia russelli) in it's defensive posture. One of the snakes that kill more people on the planet than all the others combined. It' foul disposition and copious amount of hemotoxic venom makes for deadly encounters. 🐍
January 27, 2025 at 11:16 AM
A "spicy cinnamon bun", Russell's Viper (Daboia russelli) in it's defensive posture. One of the snakes that kill more people on the planet than all the others combined. It' foul disposition and copious amount of hemotoxic venom makes for deadly encounters. 🐍