Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Dragon Breeder]

can you handle them easily, do they bite a lot? or are they quite calm and safe to handle, well not safe because they are venomous you obviously need to be careful but can you handle them,??
Erik
_________________
Reptiles by Erik Paterson
1.1.0 Chinese Water Dragon
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
8.10.11 + 14 eggs Cape House Snake
0.2.1 Leopard Gecko

[Scott W]

overall very easy to handle but that can lead you into a false sense of security though and they can sweep round and bite in an instant (much like a gator)
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[Stuart]

[Dragon Breeder]

hmm i like them but need a dwa license once things are sorted out a bit I'm applying for a license n keeping rhino vipers n these
Erik
_________________
Reptiles by Erik Paterson
1.1.0 Chinese Water Dragon
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
8.10.11 + 14 eggs Cape House Snake
0.2.1 Leopard Gecko

[Drymarchon32]

They are some really nice animals Scott, you must be very happy with them.

I have never worked with Gilas but we have CB H.h.exasperatum at work and they came in at about 250g each and I recon the Male is now about 2kg 3 years later( and I wouldn't call him fat). The female is considerably more "docile" than the male, but everything is relative
They are lightning fast, very strong and would never consider free handling them at all, they are properly necked when necessary. I have even seen babies striking out of the egg, the head was the only part out of the egg and while putting the top back on the egg box the little bugger struck and hit the top. When asked why I love reptiles so much I often give the answer that they are "good to go" the second they are born, happy to give fight to anything that tries, regardless to the size of the threat.

Having said all this about not free handling them, historically many people of the Old School handled Gilas, not seen any with Beaded though, and I guarantee there were a few accidents along the way. One thing I have heard about deaths from Heloderms was that death can be caused by shock from the pain of the bite, apparently the venom composition is very good at this.
I love feeding them, the sound of the mouse skull bones crushing is pretty impressive, so no, its not worth the risk getting bitten I know of someone who received a tiny bite/scratch from a Gila and the envenomation sounded similar to an adder bite, so a full-on bite and hold and chew is not going to be much fun.

Al
_________________
Complacency killed the keeper

[Scott W]

thanks Al, yep I love the gilas, they are one of my favorite species to keep.


Do you work at Jersey zoo? I remeber seeing gilas there in open displays in the big greenhouse, also beadeds.

I must confess having a gila easily reachable to the public with no security is very tempting Didn't the HSE have any comments about the safety side of having a venomous lizard accesible?
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[Drymarchon32]

Hey Scott,
indeed I do, been here for the last 4/5 years.
That must have been some years ago, nothing like that now, the Beadeds are going on display soon, but nowhere near the public
Jersey is only just catching up with H&S, we only got employment law in line with the UK this year!
A
_________________
Complacency killed the keeper

[Scott W]

Sorry my mistake it was at Paignton zoo

I was impressed overall with Jersey, nice layout and good displays.
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[Drymarchon32]

thanks dude, it has a great history, some very big shoes to fill esp. in herps.
A
_________________
Complacency killed the keeper

[iriechris]

Beadeds are now on display and are looking amazing, and if u ask me Al u are doing a ausum job filling those shoes! lol
_________________
Curently Keeping:

Varanus 0.0.1
Rhacodactylus 1.0.0
Uromastyx 1.1.0