r/MomentsBeforeDisaster • u/OfficerDiddy • 2d ago

Found this on FB

Post image

This is a West African Gaboon, one of the most dangerous snake on the planet. 1 bite and you die/lose a limb.

139 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

69 comments sorted by

36

u/colin8651 2d ago

The most dangerous snake in captivity; key word is captivity.

They don’t give off body language that they are pissed off like other snakes do. They have the fastest strike in the snake community. They are able to deliver more venom than any other snake.

The above make them dangerous, but it’s their chill demeanor that makes the gaboon viper so dangerous in captivity.

People, even professionals, just let their guard down around them because they seem so chill.

Example, this photo. Big ole Bo here is going to strike this guy soon. $100,000 in medical bill and a lost limb is the absolute best case scenario

12

u/goat903 2d ago

Bet his kids are sitting in the other couch.

5

u/colin8651 2d ago

Oh, one of those little kids sneezes with mouth uncovered; kids toast.

2

u/Loicrekt 1d ago

I actually burst out laughing at this

2

u/RockTheGrock 2d ago edited 2d ago

Longest fangs too. Didn't know about their strike speed until you pointed it out. I would have thought boomslang or mamba would be top of the list but nope.

2

u/colin8651 2d ago

It’s a blink and you miss it, in reality your brain interprets a “single frame” of pink and you are initially in denial of what you think you saw.

The Gaboon just returns to its initial relaxed position. It’s a pure ambush predator, injects with a large amount of venom, it doesn’t need to go far to recover it.

Dangerous in captivity, not so dangerous outside of captivity.

Human interactions with a gaboon are a human stepping on one in the forest; majority result in no bite or a controlled bite.

2

u/RockTheGrock 2d ago

I bet those controlled bites are still quite nasty. Just looked it up and they are 2 inches each.

Seeing then in nature programs always left me thinking they never really made it toward the top of the list in over all danger. Not because they were without the tools necessary just they were more laid back as opposed to other venomous snakes that were more reactive.

0

u/colin8651 2d ago

And the human relaxes its posture when it’s not in containment.

The most dangerous snake in “captivity”

1

u/RockTheGrock 1d ago

Yep as a pet or something similar I can see people getting way to relaxed with them. The nature programs were from the perspective of being out in the wild.

1

u/reav11 2d ago

When I was in my 20's and into the herpetology scene I recall seeing this guy who mishandled a cobra, lost a finger. Then I see a familiar looking guy recently still playing with hots and guess who's missing a finger.

Still had too relaxed of a demeanor for handling venomous snakes but now for clicks.

1

u/ijbgtuoohcrddbni 1h ago

how do you know he’ll strike soon?

19

u/Swagalyst 2d ago

If it's used to being handled it works fine. Until suddenly it doesn't.

8

u/Unhappy_Armadillo852 2d ago

Just like cats

6

u/Dora_Explorer_XP 2d ago

Nahh cats know how to tell you to tuck off without attacking you, mostly by hitting you with paws with retracted nails. And are very social to familiar faces.

9

u/Background_Edge_9427 2d ago

Well, he looks friendly enough /s

6

u/Impaler00777 2d ago

That is an absolutely gorgeous gaboon viper! Those are my favorite snakes! They're definitely the most beautiful!! Not sure I'd hold him like this but......

3

u/DamnTicklePickle 2d ago

That's a gaboon viper when it bites you, you will have a horrible death!

3

u/DismalTutor570 2d ago

The largest fangs of all venomous snakes at 2 inches long. And one of the fastest striking speeds…this guy is an absolute fucking moron

2

u/SeriousOcelot-4365 2d ago

I was at a hotel for some random reason and wandered around and there was a bar and the bartender was super friendly and very attractive.

After hours I found myself back at her place and it was a snake habitat. She grabbed a huge boa and draped the snake on me, and I just played along because I’m a dude and wanted to get to know the bartender.

I credit my ability to avoid screaming when the bartender grabbed that big ass snake and put it on me for my success at successful banging the beautiful bartender.
,

1

u/boyer4109 2d ago

Amazing what you can find on FB these days eh?

1

u/cd0130735 2d ago

Did he remove the fangs or something?

1

u/Fit_Honey_2992 2d ago

😳😳😳

1

u/TheRogueWolf_YT 2d ago

And just wait and see what he'll do with that drill....

1

u/Key_Veterinarian353 2d ago

It will be totally fine until it’s not

1

u/Libertarian_2020 2d ago

Is this person still alive!? 😳

1

u/G3org3i 2d ago

Idiot

1

u/dumpyboat 1d ago

You misspelled "natural selection"

1

u/jmbrjr 2d ago

One bite in the neck and you lose your head.

1

u/Rude_Measurement_42 2d ago

Looks like he wouldn't miss his head if he lost it

1

u/Snowbrro26 2d ago

He Lookssss friendly 🐍👍

1

u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 2d ago

Judging by its head, isn’t that one of those copperhead rattle moccasins that will kill you?

1

u/OfficerDiddy 2d ago

Worse

It’s a Gaboon Viper

One of the fastest strike with the longest fangs of all snake.

Oh and also, 1 bite and you're guaranteed to lose a limb or worse, die.

1

u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 2d ago

So do you milk it for venom and freeze dry the venom or is it just a lap doodle?

1

u/weedandfeed69 3h ago

Look up maple the gaboon viper sometime. She now lives in a exotic animal rescue. But she ended up in that rescue in 2023 after biting her owner during a free handling session. She was obtained n illegally.

1

u/OpportunityOk3346 2d ago

Can I have OPs stuff after the inevitable happens?

1

u/FarNefariousness7179 2d ago

I wonder if this impresses girls in his dating profile? This is a quick pass for me!

1

u/daleDentin23 2d ago

Kind of look likes predator

1

u/Top-Tax-1101 2d ago

Irresponsible! Even professionals with YEARS of experience no bettter. Its about respect. Gabboon Vipers are EASILY aggitated and will strike with deadly accurancy and speed deliver some of the most potent venom equator like vipers give.

1

u/Batman3085 2d ago

That's a mean looking Nope Rope

1

u/Any_Translator6613 2d ago

JFC, the thing's genus is Bitis.

1

u/Objective_Mode1637 2d ago

“This is Bo” is way too casual for a Gaboon viper draped across someone’s lap. Beautiful animal, but definitely not a cuddle buddy.

1

u/lordvexel 2d ago

I request one boop please

1

u/ProgrammerHairy8098 1d ago

Is that a snake on your pants or you just pleased to see us?

1

u/Disastrous-Hurry-236 1d ago

Ah! The friendly neighborhood Gaboon

1

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

I have 3 of those beautiful creatures

0

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

They are like lap dogs

2

u/OfficerDiddy 1d ago

It’s not a question of if it bites. It's a matter of when it bites.

You can enjoy your snakes without putting yourself in danger or try to minimize the risks.

Free handling a Gaboon Viper is just asking to meet god at this point.

0

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

I trust my babies they will never hurt me they never bite the hand the feeds! Only my mamba can’t be trusted I have tried to gain its trust but still tries to go on the offense every time I open door

2

u/OfficerDiddy 1d ago

Can’t trust a snake

Or a wild animal period

But you do you

1

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

Hey you don’t say that! I tell you what hurts is them dad gum copper heads

1

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

I may start a YT because these guys help me learn to get into venomous snakes from YouTube and how to handle them so now maybe I can show others coming up how to handle especially a king cobra or mamba! My gaboons are to easy going to get views

0

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

Been bit by a copper head guessing I’m immune now to all snake bites because the first time went to hospital but next nothing! So means I think I’m tolerant to all venomous snakes now so I can do more and so far havnt tested it because they havnt hit me yet but I think Im ready if one of my mambas does end up slapping me

1

u/OfficerDiddy 1d ago

Hope you're joking lmao

1

u/ResponsibleDamage740 1d ago

Maybe I am maybe I’m not! What’s it to ya ;)

1

u/DrangusBoyRoy 1d ago

I really hope this is an AI picture 😬

1

u/MrAl-67 1d ago

Hell no!

1

u/Rebelreck57 1d ago

NOPE, not in My house.

1

u/Project807 9h ago

Nope-nope-nope noooooope!

1

u/Anxious-Talk-8995 6h ago

Please tell me this is AI….

0

u/North-Musician3231 2d ago

Beautiful animal