Behind the glass & behind the scenes at Zoo Atlanta

[1BenFoster]

15:35 what snake is that

[viperkeeper]

@1BenFoster Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus)

[tblairsr]

u should goto the audubon zoo in New Orleans its pretty cool if u never been... they got a 2 headed snake but i dont remember what kind it was

[viperkeeper]

No big deal

[Truthseeker4449]

speaking of zoos, I went to a new Aquariumin SC and they had a Corn snake AND a copperhead in the same tank. Me and mom found that odd, what do you think Al?

[MintyModF1]

Seems very different that they have B. nasicornis on exibit. I was always under the impression that they were a poor display animal because high activity stressed them out to the max, which in turn 'rolled' them pretty quickly.......Can you shed any light on this, Al? ("Shed", I know....No pun intended ;-))

[viperkeeper]

@MintyModF1 If the animal feels secure in it's exhibit it will do well. If it wanted to if could retreat to a corner where it could hide

[brnleague99]

Al, I've been a fan of yours for a long time and I HAD NO IDEA you were involved with Zoo Atlanta. God can you spell irony? I was there two days ago on 11/21/10. I ooohed and ahhed over that VERY SAME Mottled Rock Rattlesnake.

[viperkeeper]

@brnleague99 Also many other Zoo's across the country.

[brnleague99]

@viperkeeper Now you have to do a special on the "Mottled Rock" Rattlesnake. *smirk*

[ankr3w1]

i like how you basically gave those other people a tour

[BitisNajaLover]

hi Al, have you been to the San Diego zoo? It has a nice collection, but it being somewhat small, they do have less common species and more endangered and rare species

[viperkeeper]

@BitisNajaLover I've send them stuff from time to time...

[BitisNajaLover]

@viperkeeper what did you send? it would be cool to know, as i go every few weeks

[viperkeeper]

@BitisNajaLover : B. parviocula & N. annulata are two I remember off the top of my head.

[caique114]

@viperkeeper I volunteer at the zoo a couple times a week and just saw the B. parviocula, it looks great.

[exact109able]

to bad u never have gone to Bronx Zoos Snake& reptile house have u ever consider it?

[viperkeeper]

I used to practically live there when I was a teenage. Have not been there in a long time. They don't have a very good HOT collection anymore. Many Zoos are hiring Amphib people as Curators and snake exhibits/collections go down hill.

[phantompanther]

Fantastic video! It's one of the most educational videos that I have seen on YouTube.

[mrJAB513]

that's so awesome that you have sweet connections to get behind the scenes at zoos. great vid

[pitbull287]

you from georgia?

[viperkeeper]

No, I visit many places though

[Thamnophissirtalis]

Do you have any bushmasters?

[viperkeeper]

Not currently

[SIXSTRINGER757]

Im really surprised you havent been picked up by by the discovery channel or the like..........good job!

[KaaSerpent]

I love how you started teaching that other zoo patron. Why isn't there ever anyone like you around when I am at the Atlanta Zoo? :)

[viperkeeper]

Thanks, I love sharing my knowledge

[Repticon21236]

on the way to florida we had to stop off at atlanta first though nice snakes

[ironlungbongrip]

nice beaded lizard

[animalboy64]

hey man that was great!!!! every time i go their i love to watch that mamba!!! one day i hope ill get to watch it in action lol!!!

[parkourbobo]

Hah, if i was in there i would've thought you're the guide, and start following you! :D

[Captnamerica1319]

Its funny hearing Al do his thing and the zoo visitors next to him going about their business

[viperkeeper]

They thought I was nuts!

[lizardLORD1245]

thats more of a venomous reptile zoo.

[westyroyal129]

if your ever in denver, you should stop at the zoo and go to the tropical discovery. they have really nice vivariums too.

[viperkeeper]

I have a standing invitation from the curator to drop in when i'm in town.

[xKatz90]

very cool vid thanks for posting Viperkeeper =]

[The1DrShade]

Really cool video Al.... Those vivariums are some hot stuff & some of the best I'e seen, the staff do a brilliant job there.

[jconnors32]

hey al can u let me know when u have any babies for sale

[SPACELORD6]

Hey Al. I was at the Jacksonville Zoo yesterday morning. The reptile houses were wonderful. I can't wait to see the Atlanta Zoo. I'm giddy with excitement!! LOL!

[viperkeeper]

Yikes! Should have contacted me....A good friend is a keeper there....

[SPACELORD6]

yes sir. i think i talked to him at the wild Florida reptile house. i can't remember his name. but i mentioned you. he said he e-mails you every day. very nice gentleman. also said he keeps 60 snakes at his home.

[viperkeeper]

Karl is one of the most fantastic people I know. Retired senior NCO USN. Spent over 20 yrs serving his country on Sub's

[SPACELORD6]

Cool. I have been to Clyde Peeling's Reptiland and Jacksonville Zoo. Now i have to go to the Atlanta Zoo. I've said it b4. Thank you sir for everything you do for the herpetology community. I am a trucker. So, I would a appreciate any other suggestions on places i could visit. I get around! lol. Thank you sir.

[chamath1985]

OMG!!! Huge mamba. Just imagine how the bush master can be invincible in the wild.

Have you ever got bitten by either a Bushmasters or Gaboons?

[viperkeeper]

No, have you ever jumped into an active Volcano?

[SPACELORD6]

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Stop it, you're killing me.

[chamath1985]

True!!! True!!! thanks for the reply. Have you ever heard of a person who got bitten from one of them?

[Golfer011940]

Chamath1985......The chances are if Al had been bitten by a gaboon, or a bushmaster especially he wouldn't be here today. Bushmasters are very toxic snakes with a highly complex venom structure, so not alot is known about the venom, therefor little, if any antivenin is around. Even if antivenin was stored it'd be very expencive due to the lack of understanding of the bushmasters venom pyscology. And nice sarcasm there Al, I'm impressed! haha!

[rearfanged89]

The only thing i don't like about th black tailed rattlesnake enclosure is the rock "cave" because if you need to remove bothe snakes you would have to lean over the snake in the cave and opean your self for a bite.

[Golfer011940]

Rearfanged, the common sence would be to remove the closest snake to you first...

[Zelnicky]

Great Video Al !

Brings back lots of great memories from when I used to work there. It is nice to know that the old beaded lizard is still alive. I remember working with him years and years ago. The Zoo and the Botanical Garden have had a close relationship since the late 1970's. That has allowed to zoo to use a lot more live plants than are often seen in reptile exhibits. They have come a long way since the old wooden switch box that was on the Mamba cages, LOL.

Best Regards

John Zegel

[SomewhereInTheGray]

It's neat that I've stumbled across this video. I am from Louisiana, but I was just at that reptile house in Atlanta last Tuesday. (1am now, so one week ago).

[natecool2]

i like this video its going on my favorites! im try and get too the zoo where i live some time soon.

[halbroome]

Reminds me of the New Orleans zoo (smaller, but an interesting collection).

I was stunned to find two green mambas mating right in front of me on a branch display. . . .

[redtailboa08]

awsome :)

[Eden356]

Sweet vid Al, always been interested to know how these reptile centres run from behind the enclosures.

[LutherJordan]

You are being good to us! Thank you much for that very interesting video, Al. Super!

[CarleeZankou]

I like the way all the vivs has the antivenin needed for the species

[samsonsrad]

thanks for the vid, i like the tour vids

[ErikPaterson]

that is a truly amazing facility!

really incredible setups and animals

[stupidself00]

awesome i like how most of your vids are almost 20 min long

[Tokay18]

Did you provide the B.parviocula to the ATL zoo?

[viperkeeper]

Yes

[rrebers]

wow thats cool

[CARSandGUITAR]

Very cool Al. Thanks for the upload!

[lilmic1987]

hey whats the diff from a rhino nose and a gaboon

[xinumacretes]

sweet

[burmish101]

Awesome 40 years old! And holy crap that mamba must have been massive. Is it just that size because its very old or do all blacks get that big?

[viperkeeper]

LOL..there is a joke there but since no one has a sense of humor anymore, I'll pass. 14 ft is the standing record. I've worked a 12 footer, wow..!!

[tannermiddleton]

hehe funny lol

[chasemitch]

tell me lol i want to hear it =]

[v8greenmachine]

I didn't realise Black mambas got so large! do they get bigger than that? how does one work with such an animal safely? the average snake hook would go out the window for this fella I would suppose.

[viperkeeper]

Well you do it like they do it with a shift box or like Steveo and all the other wackos

[Boas2k9]

i love your videos man there really good and entertaining keep it up :)

[Bitis11nasicornis]

I wish I could go too a reptile zoo, I'd be so happy

[azemiopsfeae]

jumping vipers are one of my fav's!

AWESOME vid!

[216833]

Thanks Al that was like a field trip lol. well done keep them comming.

[garyorner]

BRO I commented before the beaded lizard!!!! WOW 40 years WOW!!!!!!!! That is to cool

[garyorner]

This is a really nice video my friend!!! Another 5 star vid!

[kgconstrictors]

Top Notch Set Up's at Zoo Atlanta. Great behind the scenes fotage Al. Thanks again :)

[lilmic1987]

wow thats great,.,

[malerror]

great video, thanks

[redtailboa08]

in atlanta GA!!

[rakkah83]

Was out wandering with my family today and finnally i got to see Vipera berus in the wild as an adult. Acctually it was two males so it was nice :).

These two were kinda dark in their coloration thou but there can be some really bright ones also. Have seen any of these yourself?

[viperkeeper]

No, that would be a real treat.

[rakkah83]

I'll see if there was any useable photos that I took. Doubt it thou but will see :).

[HANKEYMAN45]

i take it you know the staff at the zoo

do you ever buy/sell snakes with the zoo?

[viperkeeper]

They are a customer of mine...the Bitis parviocula in the video were born at my facility.

[andrewpoopoo]

WOW!

[Doxsterkosmos]

Great video Al, best so far I think.

[viperkeeper]

That means you watched all of the 227 videos on my site, right?

[Doxsterkosmos]

All of the ones that interests me.

[mvskokee918]

thats what i thought thanks for the info

[XInterMindedX]

Cool vid Al. The vivs there are amazing and really well done, well simulated terrain for the animals. Beautiful specimens there too.

[trinity00matrix00]

that was a huge black mamba that was really cool thanks viper

[lordabomity]

Test.

[elec123]

WOW aurifer!

Hopefully someday I will get to keep that species.. cant wait.

[ilikemyexoticpets]

it looks so much like london zoo. weird.

[Tokay18]

Really a top notch vid Al, I wish I knew you were in town, Would have loved a chance to meet you. do you come to ATL fairly often?

[viperkeeper]

I do visit GA often but do not broadcast my wandering. I'll keep you in mind next visit.

[joostema]

you had a following. lol

[lordabomity]

Happy morning, little blackie shed tonight and now this =) Awesome video as always.

I actually have a request for you Al. I recall something about you owning a boiga dendrophila. Not as hot as other little beasts like acanthophis laevis but an awesome good looking snake. Could you let us see it sometime? =) /Matt

[viperkeeper]

He's in the April mixed bag, next Saturday.

[lordabomity]

Thank you =)

[pollenman99]

Al

As allways a nother great video .

I realy like the Bitis Parviocla baby's.

[mvskokee918]

so is a cotton mouths venom not as toxic. kinda like a copperhead. sorry im a hot noob

[viperkeeper]

Cottonmouth is quite potent, Cantil is very HOT....

[RobTheGamer]

What a great video, Al! I live about an hour outside of Atlanta, I wish I had known you were coming down here, I would have loved to have met you at the zoo.

[viperkeeper]

I'll keep that in mind next visit.

[RobTheGamer]

That would be great! With the added bonus of VIP treatment at the Zoo too, lol. =)

[CorallusKeeper]

Nice video as always! I was wanting to know if Crofab is ever used on venomous bites from cantils, and other South American vipers.

[viperkeeper]

NO...It will have little or no effect

[sactownatureboy]

Great video, really enjoyable. Those vivariums are awesome, but I sure wouldn't want to have to clean them. Especially the one with multiple hots and a lot of vegetation for them to hide from you then WHACK. Thanks for shring your visit.

[fuelpark]

yay! after what ...2 years? You finally have a Bushmaster video. :)

It would have been so Ironic if a boomslang was in the SAME exhibit. I originally had a feeling there would be, but I was surprised it was a bushmaster

[Devincool2]

venemous snakes. is that all you like work with? i know you only own venomous but... like you know.

[RobTheGamer]

He sometimes gets non-venomous in with the shipments he receives, but he doesn't keep them, no. Non-venomous are, well to the Viperkeeper, like driving a Lamborghini with an automatic transmission so to speak. =)

[jazza369]

great vid al

[knoxra]

the people around u r probably like lol wut

[BraveHeartzPetz]

good video

[johnny66o1]

Snakes won't fight or try to eat each other?

[viperkeeper]

Depends on the species.

[redwoodhill]

Al, you get to do the coolest stuff!

[reptilesingeneral]

it looks very quiet when were u there?

[viperkeeper]

It was a rainy day outside.

[eliteoption]

Thanks for sharing Al and have a great weekend as well.

[viperkeeper]

Thanks, you too

[TrevDogg920]

i live in atl! great zoo and great reptile room ;-) great vid viper keeper. u live near ga i presume.

[viperkeeper]

No, was just visiting...

[TrevDogg920]

cool cool...btw great channel u have and keep it up. also i have written to my rep about the HR 669. hopefully this will not pass...

[tjdressen]

lets take that agave and make some tequila eh!!!!

[caique114]

i live in Atlanta and your right they used to have some great native snakes with some great setups I really prefered it more to what they have now

[TimeSplittersChimp]

was that a yellow blotched palm pit viper at 2:50 viperkeeper ?

[viperkeeper]

Yes

[TimeSplittersChimp]

They are stunning have you ever considerd getting one VK ?

[viperkeeper]

Yes, they are just not available.

[TimeSplittersChimp]

Well good luck i hope you do manage to find one they are the most beautiful snake i have ever seen just imo :P

[caique114]

i live in atlanta

[CUBuff10]

great video!

5/5

A+

[throwinsparks420]

As usual, great video Al.

[EliteQ80]

Nice vid =] 3rd :P

[Kollindyr]

Wow what a fantastic showcase!

[trekkiemarine]

Hey VK I always look forward to your videos they are always insightful and informative.

[CaterpillarGiraffe]

The children in the background probably wondered why you knew so much about all the snakes! :P