Visit with my Tanzanian Black Mamba

[RockinToke]

I literally watch your videos every morning when I wake up and every night when I go to bed. Literally the most fascinating videos on youtube. I was never into snakes before but now I can't get enough!

[rthmh]

Is it just fiction or is there any truth in that Mamba's will chase you to an extent if you upset them?

Do you keep eyelash vipers also? Searched plenty of your video's but yet to see them. Your vids are great to watch anyhow.

[viperkeeper]

@rthmh No. I don't keep many eyelashes...no at the moment.

[sarasafia2]

no fair



[RedBayDog]

Was the sickness a bacteria ??

[viperkeeper]

@RedBayDog no idea what you're talking about. I have not watched this video in 3 yrs.

[RedBayDog]

@viperkeeper at 59 seconds on the Video..

[viperkeeper]

@RedBayDog No sickness was present. He was just sleeping.

[armytaskforce11x]

please feed him live prey ,makes his day better.

[heyiiFlow]

how many snakes do you have

[brnleague99]

I seemed to think Black Mambas only came from Namibia. Steve Irwin always seemed to find them there. Ditto for every other documentary on Mambas I've ever seen. *grin* But in my heart I knew better.

[Rinabu72]

THAT'S A FRIGGIN CUTE BLACK MAMBA

[jazzsnazz]

what did you study in college?

[westonis1]

VIPERKEEPER. i have a south african black mamba and i have to get rid of him. i want him to go to a good home and i was wondering if you were interested in buying him from me or i will even give him to you because your the only person i trust with him. so please inbox me

[viperkeeper]

@westonis1 Where do you live and how much do you want for it? male or female?

Thanks,

Al

[davidserrano9]

@viperkeeper have you ever held him

[viperkeeper]

@davidserrano9 I've had her on hooks but I would never freehandle her...

[davidserrano9]

@viperkeeper have you ever held any of your snakes

[davidserrano9]

@viperkeeper ok

[WZW1982]

The inside of her mouth is very sinister looking =)

[kasoy1]

Is this a green mamba of black mamba because it looks kinda green but title says black.

[viperkeeper]

@kasoy1 Black from Tanzania...not like South African Black Mambas....

[firebumper32]

The owner actually thinks the snake wants to visit him. Um no, she's trying to escape her unnatural dismal captivity. Living in that cage is like a human living in a walk-in closet.

[MrUptown714]

Amazing work. I can't get enough of these videos.

[FoXRoX96]

Cool Garter snake!!................JKJK

[01MMA]

hi viperkeeper,would you be abe to tell me what make the vivs you keep most of your snakes in,cheers

[2ndRCHAret]

You really are a snake whisperer Al

[obrad79]

I have one question about green and black mamba i know they are in same family as cobras,i was just wondering can green mamba flat and spread her neck alsow,i have seen black mambas doing that but i have never seing video of green mamba doing same thing

[viperkeeper]

@obrad79 Yes

[woodremoval]

I'm curious if you keep anti-venom on hand? What's the shelf life on that stuff?

Have you ever thought about milking your snakes for the production of anti-venom?

[viperkeeper]

@woodremoval Yes, see my Face Book Page for answers to all those questions  "Viperkeeper" person.

[viperkeeper]

Fer-de-lance is a common name for many of the Central American & South American Pit Vipers. These guys are very very dangerous.

[akaroyalljelly]

lance heads?? is that a fer-de-lance? Why would U consider them more dangerous than a black mamba? I was lead to believe that the black mamba was one of the most deadly snakes species alive,

[AriesSoprano]

OK, your the COOLEST person on Youtube. What I would give, to own a Black Mamba. I own a Emp Scorpion now "punks, compared to the Mamba", but still an exotic just the same. Keep up the informative, and cool work man...thanks for the vid

[TeXaS7525]

it looks like she doesnt have any fangs

[viperkeeper]

@TeXaS7525 Come on over...I'll let you have a closer look.

[xtheritalinx]

@viperkeeper Seriously tho.... she doesnt look like she has her fangs...

[viperkeeper]

@xtheritalinx They are hidden in he fang sheaths.

[xtheritalinx]

@viperkeeper My bad, I looked it up, I didn't realize Mamba's have a unique setup for their fangs and have some of the most forward resting fangs of all snakes. I believe that it has fangs now! thanks

[Technebrous]

@TeXaS7525 elapids doesn't have big fans dude, but, their fucking fangs even tiny are the most venomous fucking fangs on snakes little world, i love elapids, nevertheless i wouldn't get close even to a culebrid, as viperkeeper says "the most venomous snake is the one who just bitten you" so is kinda a platonic love, i certainly wont get close to a snake unless im escorted by someone like viperkeeper, i suggest you to do the same, and have some respect, you mock on something that something gets u

[bigJ09z]

Your video's are awsome :) don't listen to the know it all douchebags Mamba's sure are beautiful

[sfvrbo]

Al, I love your videos. I could watch them for hours. I am most impressed by your passion and love for these beautiful creatures; I look forward to your mixed bag feature every month.

[connjamm]

people really have to stop saying that your gonna die soon, it is really annoying, they have no clue that the odds of dying in a car crash are greater than an experienced snake handler getting bit

[lance1236451]

do u get nervous handling these venomous snakes?

[viperkeeper]

@lance1236451 no

[mrglorioso1982]

it just a baby , if you got a mature black mamba you are all ready dead mate !!!!

[viperkeeper]

@mrglorioso1982 I have also large one.

[lance1236451]

@viperkeeper ... u gona have to wear glove and alot protection

[QCfinest80]

You remind of those people on that show on Animal Planet,"Fatal Attraction."I do have a lot respect for you though.

[abhienaputri]

im from indo that's one of a hell snake you got there...very cool dude..very nice...i only pet phyton...hhehehehe....

[soSpecialkay]

lool Reminds me of the guy from Jurassic Park who thought the little frilled neck lizard dinosaur was cute...

[Firetailedcloud]

I expect u to be dead real soon buddy... Who the hell wants to own a PET BLACK MAMBA! These snakes are not to be feared but respected and the "Black Mamba cam" is a complete lack of respect for this amazingly beautiful yet deadly creature. It is obvious that you wanna clear any misconceptions of this creature and thats great but your days are numbered if u continue on this course. All it takes is one mistake buddy. Face to face with the most deadly snake in the world is not a good idea!

[viperkeeper]

@Firetailedcloud Well then I'm beatting the odds, since I've been doing this for 15 years longer than you have been alive.

[Firetailedcloud]

@viperkeeper Sorry my brother was on my account and said that. He's an idiot ignore him..

[sonnyroxx]

@viperkeeper

OK then. I have to weigh in in this. I am nobody. I have kept venomous but never elapids. But your comment to Firetailedcloud is ridculous. It's like driving a car. 1 out of 3 folks are gonna wreck. I hope you go forever doing this and have no incidents but that is a wild animal that has the potential to kill you. But you are gonna wind up like Steve Irwin if you don't respect what can happen if the animal is having an off day. Pretty certain is not really good enough.

[JustInTime819]

@viperkeeper pwnage on firetailedcloud

[HardjumperR]

@Firetailedcloud moron....he knows what hes doing. and he is well aware of what he is about to do/doing. and If he is willing to take this risk and feels "ok" about it, then let him take it...

I really love his vids...at least he knows what hes doing w the snakes and is not such an mo*on like others who keep venomous/nonvenomous snakes

[EvolutionExotics]

@Firetailedcloud Honestly. Your so Ignorant you make me laugh. Please don't post comments like this the further embarrass you and your family. Dendroaspis Polylepis is a Extremly toxic and agressive snake, but if you know what your doing like Al does the chances of getting bit are greatly reduced. Although getting bit is always a possibility and should always be taken into procausion. The chances of you getting are extremely high because your probably 15 to 20 and you think you know everything.

[EvolutionExotics]

@Firetailedcloud And Futher more this is not the most "deadly snake in the world" That would be Oxyuranus microlepidotus. Please get your facts straight.

[speakswahilidammit]

I'm Cornish, live in Falmouth, Cornwall. I grew up in the Tanganyika bush in the 1950's & 60's. I spoke Swahili before English. Watu told wonderful stories - animals with morals (for me to copy), who spoke. Some were terrifying - like mchawis (witchdoctors) in the form of fisis (hyenas) by night, still wearing crocodile-tooth necklaces. If I didn't behave, they'd get me. I had close scrapes with black mambas, & was strung by scorpions. My video on youtube has original footage from the bush.

[manicman108]

can these snakes get tamed or what?

[juroxzg3]

do You Handle Him?? or is it Too Risky

[viperkeeper]

@juroxzg3 Yes, no problem

[timberland1108]

you dont get a little worried like at 6:26 looking it in the face like that

[viperkeeper]

@timberland1108 Not really...

[timberland1108]

@viperkeeper how long have u had her??

[viperkeeper]

@timberland1108 Have to look at the records

[MrGhod]

Wow!! That it one awsome looking guy!!! What was your plan if the situation turned bad when he was out and you were sitting so close? For juroxzg3: Kings and Corns are good biggeners. Just make sure you know and can afford the snakes requirements(heat, housing, etc.) and that you have ready access to rodents.

[welcometodaveOvision]

Please explain the difference between nervous and normal tongue flicks. Does it have to do with how fast the flicks are?

[viperkeeper]

@welcometodaveOvision The are telling you how nervious they are at that moment. Slow is BAD

[kane9812]

Sir, where can I purchase a Black Mamba? I really want one. I use to have a corn snake and now I am ready for a mamba to play with..Thank you.

[MrGhod]

Wow!!! What a awesome looking animal!!!! I would be way too nervous to get that close to one. You really know know your snakes. I only have experience with corns, kings and boas. In that inclosed area what would you do if she came at you? For juroxzg3 kings and corns are good beginer snakes. Just keep in mind their needs(heat, housing, etc.) before getting one. Also, make sure the propper sized rodents are availible to you. Some will take frozen/thawed and others will only take live.

[saintpero]

Would a Spotted Python be Good For me???

[juroxzg3]

am thinking that for my 15 th birthday i get a snake do you know any good begginer snakes, I yust love em i know alot but am afraid that i dont know enough -Geroge

[viperkeeper]

@juroxzg3 Get a "corn snake"

[juroxzg3]

@viperkeeper ye i was thinking of doin that but theres one more problem my mom doesnt want a snake for like 1000 bucks a day :(

[scottlucidi]

@juroxzg3

There's a good beginner snake called the Reticulated Python. I'd start there if I were you. Then you can move onto an intermediate snake like the Inland Taipan.

[WhItEmAjIc123]

dude what if the snake strike u at 2;15 watch out man , black mambas real dangerous

[AntiBlast]

Ask it to use lectrine

[goober91111]

Hey Viperkeeper, Question, im 16 and considering going into ophiology. i love the study of snakes, and would like to go into the feild of capturing and studying other species of deadly snakes. iv had tons of experiences of handeling poisonous snakes and would like to know what college studies i should take to get better experience? any suggestions or opinions?

[viperkeeper]

@goober91111 I think you should first learn there are NO Poisonous snakes, only venomous ones. Biology, Zoology, Chemistry, Biochemistry

[FightinInTheTrenches]

Viperkeeper, I assume the other key thing in that sort of enrichment is to have no trace of food present? She's really elegant, almost liquid, when she is moving at that slow tempo (even by snake standards). 

[cjlilc35]

hey sir great job and were can i get a hook like the one you had in this video because i need one for my pythons

[viperkeeper]

@cjlilc35 Ace-Capture Equipment made those, however, they are no longer in business.

[rla1978x]

Hey ViperKeeper love the vids but I have a question. My mother said that a venomous snake has a eye of a cat is this true?

[viperkeeper]

@rla1978x No...Viperids have the cats eye and elapids have round.

[xmbh21x]

i love your videos viperkeeper!

[STEVENxSNED]

I admire your love of animals, u act so calm. when people have snake-phobia, I respect that, but when U dont want to try to get around it and just hate snakes, I think u should just take some steps to get around that fear. U are an amazing animal keeper

[KesoXorganoff]

That snake is beautiful, too bad they're venomous or else I might have got one.

[lewisb187]

@headkick From what I understand the venemous invasive species being found in florida is because of hurricane andrew, which hit the miami zoo and a few wildlife parks. Theres a video on youtube of the fire chief whos also a reptile hobbyist talking about the invasive species.

[viperkeeper]

@lewisb187 Not a big problem...not enough get loose to establish a breeding population.

[lightsuit]

RAAAAAWWRRRRR :D

[formoca9]

It is very nice of you to educate people not to fear the sneaks, but to respect them. Keep up the good work.

[JerryF1]

man you are amazing, i have had snake phobia since childhood but watching you has gone a long way in changing that

[Tandrick2987]

Can mambas attack fast?

[JAMIEtheGANGSTA]

i think venomous are much more beautiful then non venomous but ide prefer to be able to hold/interact with my snake so im getting a ball python

[brnleague99]

At :42, that mamba's saying, "God's sake, Al, I was asleep. Leave me alone!" *grin*

[g1stealth]

What is the difference between tounge flicks?

[viperkeeper]

@g1stealth The quick rapid tongue flick is a curious mamba. The slow up and over the nose is a warning..."Your pissing me off or your scaring me"

[weedalizzer]

very relaxed mamba i ever seen

good vids of your snakes thx

[nurmiar]

A king cobra eats this little snake easily

[headkick]

that has to be the most well behaved Black Mamba i've ever seen, do you have any Boomslangs or Green Mambas? I've heard from my zoology professor that there's been a few caught down here in South Florida along with a few species of Cobra, people are worried about pythons but i'll take 12 ft Burmese over a 5 ft Green Mamba in my backyard any day of the week

[viperkeeper]

All my mambas are relaxed, you know why? Because I don't treat them like I'm afraid of them. I don't give them any reason to think I'm a threat to their safety.

[JZimm8787]

Either that snake is completely harmless... or you're completely nuckin' futs. Give's me the willies, man, but I'm still going to watch.

[viperkeeper]

Totally hot snake

[MrStefpl]

Absolutely fantastic !!

I'm very impressed with the way you handle her; Great respect for a potentially lethal animal, but she's inquisitive like any other pet !!

Well done.

[dragon3600000]

now is this your private collection, or doyou work at a zoo or nature center?

[viperkeeper]

My private collection

[dragon3600000]

very nice,and very proffesional set up

[kingboodl117]

what is your fav snake?

[royalpythonman]

hey viperkeeper, you keep all these venomous snakes, would you ever keep a gila monster or a beaded lizard? the reason i ask is that they are venomous lizards and i just wanted to know if you would ever keep them?

[viperkeeper]

I've had them in the past.

[ToonandBBfan]

Someone told me that as a general rule of thumb, believe it or not but the Egyptian cobra is more aggresive to humans than a Mamba

[viperkeeper]

Mambas are not agressive unless you corner them or otherwise piss them off

[jonnyrisas]

is that the regular african black mamba..??

the infamous bad boy...??...love that snake

[viperkeeper]

No, it's a Irregular one. Got it at the second-hand mamba store

[koolguy1111111111111]

is the venome drained or something

[viperkeeper]

No..completely HOT

[tsortise]

this is so cool dude. I was in tanzania about a month ago and i saw a green snake and started to chase it, fastest snake i have ever seen!! i stopped trying to catch it once the villagers shouted "GREEN MAMBA"!.

[viperkeeper]

Check out my Tanzanian Green Mamba too...his name is kermit.

[travisjbronson]

At around 4:00 when the Black Mamba eats the rat, it dosn't look like she really sinks her fangs in - did I miss that or does she know that it's dead food and not use venom?

[viperkeeper]

Her fangs were employed, hard for a mamba not you use their fangs.

[GU5T4F]

Stupid question, is there an anti-venom for black mamba bites and are you capable of reaching it in time if you get bit? :)

[viperkeeper]

Yes & Yes

[Campo515]

Do you keep your own anti-venom? I thought hospitals only carry anti venom to native species.

[viperkeeper]

Yes I have my own A/V

[Campo515]

How much does that cost you?

[viperkeeper]

Depends on where it comes from..

[Trithij]

Don't you think that It might be too dangerous for your life? I think that you slightly underestimate mambas, you have to know that their intelligence can work against you. + Their bite is the most dangerous one among all the snakes you have. Anyway I just admire your work and skills. ;)

[chiconspiricy]

To Trithij

"Most Dangerous" is overused. His PNG Taipan is even hotter by most definitions with comparable speed and fang length. Even the basic Indian cobra can kill you before you reach a hospital. Dead is dead.

[edaj84]

I would be more worried about some of the Australian snakes, but like chiconspiricy says, dead is dead regardless.

[Golfer011940]

LOL "The orgie is still going on over there....Its a little distracting...The Sassies have been at it for weeks now, you'd think they'd be tired" - Love it! :-)

Mambas are wrongly feared due to a lack of education and understanding where they are native...There's a hell of a lot more snakes out there that I'd rather not take a bite from....All vipers & Rattlers, and some Aussie elapids due to their toxitidy...most Vipers bites you shouldn't really use a pressure bandage due to the venom...?

[viperkeeper]

Yes, keeping all of the venom pent-up in one place increases the local tissue distruction, when the systemic effects are less lethal in the short trem.

[RoseMilord]

ooooh i love so much my pug, he could never kill me in any way :s

[Hamzahmammals]

How long does it take a Black Mamba to kill a human?

[viperkeeper]

Every bite is different. Anywhere from 15 min to a few hours or maybe never.

[Hamzahmammals]

Nature is amazing. This is the second largest venomous snake. This is a very lethal and fast snake. You got to be careful. Take care.:)

Hamzah Makda.

[viperkeeper]

Yes, I know this ;-)

[Golfer011940]

All depends on where the snake bit, the angle of the bite (If it pierced an artery or vien)...What the response was...If it was a feeding strike, a higher envenomation would be injected, a deffencive may sometimes be a dry bite...we do not know for sure. If you take a chest or a facial bite, your pretty much gone unless your very lucky...a limb bite you may make it to a hospital with a well applied pressure bandage..... The face and limbs are difficult to apply a secure pressure bandage

[Golfer011940]

Sorry I correct myself.....The face and upper body is very difficult to apply a pressure bandage....DOH!

[shussey100]

@Hamzahmammals 15 mins

[KillJesus]

I do not know the scientific names very well. What species of snake was off-camera "getting busy".

[KillJesus]

Amazing snake and the "enrichment" is fascinating!

[greekamerican1961]

Do they ever dry bite, or do they aways envonomate?

[viperkeeper]

I doubt it...they mean business

[jalton82]

I thought it was illegal to own snakes like this?

[viperkeeper]

depends on the state

[Trahira517]

Such an awesome snake. Quite a camera ya got there too...

lol...I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but be careful bro.

[johnny66o1]

How is he doing now?

[viperkeeper]

Just fantastic

[humpingbird]

When you feed frozen feed, do these snakes like a little tug-o-war or they will get "pissy" if u tug it off a bit. I notice you held on to the dead rat when you feed. Just wondering if you did a little tug to give them a little thrill of the hunt.

[viperkeeper]

I try to let them get excited an bit about the hunt. However, getting one of the fast elapids like a Black Mamba too excited can be very bad :-O

[carlos91alberto]

i like your videos a lot... my little sister an I like to watch you and she asks if a snake have ever bitten you....

keep like that !  good luck

[viperkeeper]

Yes, a few times but only needed Antivenom once in 1974.

[dmbcskater]

how much for a tropical rattlesnake ?

[Surfer041]

I was always curious about tounge flicks, do a certain amount indicate what kind of mood the snake is in?

[viperkeeper]

Not really the amount but the "style" is indicative of the mood of a Polylepis.

The slow over the top of the snout is somethin like: Dude, your scaring me and making me nervious.

Neck flattening is: Dude..now I'm really frightened and pissed.

Gapping means: Back off now or your dead asshole!

Being able to read body posture is one of the keys to staying alive or at least unbitten.

[Surfer041]

What is gapping?

[viperkeeper]

They open their mouth, their mouth is a gape

[Surfer041]

Cool thanks for the lesson, much appreciated. What is the next snake you'd like to get?

[viperkeeper]

No problem...

[DareDevilWithoutFear]

All I got to say is You are the Man!!! And your Black Mamba is a Beauty!!!

But all I got to say is You sound like your alot Younger!!!! But still you are the Man!!! when it comes to these Snakes and I have been thinking about doing this Hobby since I was a Little Kid

[toucansushi1023]

cool :)

[waldy526]

I am amazed at how calm you are with the snakes...Iknow you have experiance but you are just awesome with the snakes...I can honestly say if I was ever going to keep venomous snakes I would want you as mymentor...you are unbelievable

[hardcorrockgal]

What happend to little red..!?

[viperkeeper]

He died in the spring.

[hardcorrockgal]

Sorry to hear that :-(

[fukyou1000]

Absolutly superb camera work, never seen anything like that before.

[BoaC2323]

Awesome mamba. You really seem like a pro!!

[viperkeeper]

Good my tricks are working

[Surfer041]

My favorite of all venomous snakes. What a gorgeous black mamba. Would you ever free handle him. That neurotoxic venom of his can kill a human within an hour i believe.

[viperkeeper]

Don't ask stupid questions and then state the obvious.

[mo3gaba]

i really love your videos !!!

[massassauga1]

You have certainly paid a lot of money to play with death! Don't fuck up

[viperkeeper]

Not really...death is cheap.

[liamcliff]

i love the way you ahndle snakes your amzing

but you probly know her along time or her to keep that.

[viperkeeper]

Just a year in September

[KillJesus]

Do you have the specific antivenins for all of your snakes just in case?

[viperkeeper]

Yes

[jreej]

how much snakes do you have and are thay all venomous

[viperkeeper]

150 to 200

Yes

[ashbras]

ahh

i finally found your black mamba

BEAUTIFUL

and once again i would still LOVE to see your snakes!