Hi from Austin, Tx - Excited to learn more

Cheers y'all !

Great forum, with lots of excellent information and awesome pictures !

I'm sure most will think I started a little strong out of the gate. I've never had a snake before, and am now the proud caregiver of a handsome male Crotalus Atrox !

In my defense, I didn't choose him, he chose me !

I found him in my front yard !

I've been doing a lot of reading / research online and this appears to be the best source of good information. I've been lurking for a few months, as I wasn't sure if I was going to keep my little buddy.

I found him the week before Halloween 2011, so I've had him almost 7 months now, I believe he couldn't have been more than a month or two old at the time.

My next door neighbor found & killed one in his backyard that same week, and some time later they ran over one in the driveway, and their kids ran over one with their bikes in the street, and two more were found by kids at the bus stop ! ! !

So even with my ignorance, I've already given my boy a better life than his brothers & sisters it appears !

I initially was just going to keep him through the winter, under the premise I was doing him a favor & he would be 'better off' in my heated home than outdoors fending for himself

However, now that winter is over, i've grown attached to him, and have decided to make him party of the family.

So while I would agree a Crotalus Atrox, isn't exactly a beginners pet, and I shall hunker down for the firestorm of criticism.

I am here as I would like to learn how to best make him happy & comfortable, while also keeping my life & extremities !

I have him in a 30 gallon aquarium, with multiple hides

I tried to give him warmed pinkies initially, and after repeated refusals, I now give him live mice.

I'm happy to answer any requests for additional details, and I have more than a few pictures to share !

I've been eagerly browsing for ideal enclosures and intend to have a more mechanically inclined friend construct a house adequate for him to grow to full adulthood in safely & happily, I like the trap/hide box component, so as to safely clean up after him & give him water and what not !

Anyone have any ideas / thoughts / suggestions on a 'toy' for him, I don't want him to be bored, and want him to be stimulated, although he seems weary of new items being introduced into his habitat.

At any rate, apologies for the LONG intro, while i'm very new, i'm also sincere, and I will endeavor to not go 'full retard' and avoid news coverage of my passing and putting a negative light on the herp community !

-Derek

I wish you welcome to the forum.
Pass a pleasant time with us.

See you soon ..

Good evening Mr.Vallejo,

you told that you keep the rattlesnake in a aquarium? Ìt is a aquarium for fishes?

Piero: Thank you ! Your female Bothriechis schlegelii is BEAUTIFUL !

Niko: Yes, he is in what was originally a 30 gallon aquarium for fish. but no water now ! I have added rock heater, and overhead lamp for warmth. Water dish in corner, and a few places to hide !

I am working on a design for his new home for him to have room to grow in. That is safe for him and me. It's easy now as he isn't as long as the aquarium is tall.

I have picture of him for view at link below, and will add photo of his home next !

http://www.venomland.net/t5712-crotalus-atrox-introductory-portrait

Hello Derek,

i asked because a aquarium is not safe enough to keep a venomenous snake like
a vivarium/terrarium.how do you close the aquarium on the top?
dont feel safe because the snake isnt long as the aquarim is tall!!

Niko: Oh, I understand now. Yes, I do want to keep him IN the aquarium !
I bought from local pet store a fitted lid that is mesh metal above him, so lamp can warm & shine through.

It is temporary, and I am in process of trying to daydream & sketch a 'great' enclosure he can happily grow to full size in and have it built.

But, I have already had him almost 7 months and he seems to be growing quickly ! I feed him small mouse every two weeks. Recent reading suggests perhaps I should feed him weekly during his first year.

Thank you for the tip, and I welcome any and all constructive criticism, in how to best enjoy him safely, while he is as happy as possible

-Derek

That aquarium might be okay when it comes to safety - if it's properly closed on its top.

On the other hand, working from the top isn't my cup of tea, and aquariums do not allow an exchange of air.
I would build (or buy) a good terrarium (with front opening glasses) as soon as possible - meanwhile this little critter will do it in that tank.
Additionally Derek should get some tools like a snake hook and a pair of gloves for safe handling. A plastic box to store the snake safely while working/cleaning in the terrarium will not be a bad investation too.

Of course, he's a beginner, and the question if it's okay to start with a rattlesnake may arise and could be discussed controversially.
Derek's living in rattlesnake country, and there might be more danger coming from additional, still undiscovered rattlesnakes in his yard than from the specimen he cares for.

I see a 33 year old adult trying to enter the world of venomous snakes and taking the trouble to do it in a serious way - and he deserves our help in my opinion.
He's willing to learn - and his first steps in cage setting with natural substrate and hiding places haven't been that bad.

There's only one thing to say: Derek, if you do not have experience with rattlesnakes, never, i repeat never underestimate the striking range of that snake and be always on a very safe side when handling it!

and, by the way, i personally didn't have any problems with that picture showing the snake and a mouse - this happens millons of times daily on this planet. To me it's not important if the snake or Derek (or some breeder) kills the mouse, it's more important under which (species-conform hopefully) conditions the mouse has lived before
But i would suggest, as most people will do, to feed pre-killed or frozen/thawed food items for various reasons.

regards
Peter

Good words Mr.Zürcher!

Hi all, I'm happy to announce we are both still alive.  He is available and I put an ad in the sale / swop section if you are in the central texas area and are interested please let me know ASAP.

He's almost 3 years old now, and is right at 4 feet long

I owe much of my longevity to this forum and you're helpful pointers
( stay away from the sharp end! )

Jeffrey_May 29th 2014 by coulromania, on Flickr" />