I appreciate you pointing out that even the "biggest, deadliest snake in Africa" will mostly just lie still and wait for you to go away if left unbothered. Venomous snakes don't deserve the terrible reputation they have.

@cara9648

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. They just want to be left alone, they're not vicious or willfully mean. Yet people will treat them that way just because they have venom.

@sarahbeaulieu999

2 жыл бұрын

Right I feel like people are so uneducated about reptiles and I frequently hear about them being "evil". Snakes just trying to be snakes are not evil they are not out to get you. I had to try and educate an entire reddit thread that thought it was cute when a dude sicked his dog on a snake that then whipped it around and threw it. Everyone was defending it like the snake would have attacked him. I then proceeds to try and explain to a bunch of grown ups that cotton mouths do not chase people. Actual field herpetologist chimed in explaining the same snakes don't chase you. We all got called stupid and told that just be use science says they don't chase you doesn't mean it's right because they have hunted or fished for years and have been chased more than once. Trying to convince these folks that snakes could care less about them outside of felling scared and trying to get away was sad and disappointing. These folks were talking about how it's necessary to kill any "poisonous" snakes. Started to explain poisonous vs venomous but gave up after I started getting private messages with "stories" about the time the person's girlfriends sisters ex boyfriends cousin was chased down and cornered by an especially "mean" cotton mouth 🤦

@cara9648

2 жыл бұрын

@@sarahbeaulieu999 Lack of education on reptiles is a serious problem. Especially venomous ones. Cottonmouths do have a particularly bad representation. It's good that you guys tried to educate the thread, and I don't blame you for stopping. It can be like talking to a wall.

2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree Holly, that's why I try and show how snakes really are without getting them defensive to sensationalize them for views.

@_dboy_

2 жыл бұрын

So true!

The way that Dav is able to handle that huge gaboon viper is undeniable proof that snakes aren't out to get you. They don't want to kill you, they won't chase, they are in no way malicious. This is one of the most deadly snakes in the entirety of Africa and all it does is sit there, not bothering anyone and just doing it's thing, docile enough to let a (highly trained and experience) human touch it. I love this video and I'm so grateful to Dav for making content like this. :)

Snakes love him, coffee fears him! The legendary Dav Kaufman.

2 жыл бұрын

I think I know what will be written on my tombstone now :)

I almost pooped my pants when you lifted the gaboon. You’re such a bad ass Dāv!

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear it was just "almost" :)

I believe the Gaboon is the most beautifully marked snake on earth. I'd love to see one in the wild but am just as happy to see your video. Thanks for bringing us along!

Everything you went through in Africa to get this footage makes these videos even more meaningful Can't wait for the ball python movie.

It's very kind of the local community to bring out animals for you that they know how to handle to minimize your time in the highest risk areas and so you can record more of them.

It took me almost the whole time Dave filming too notice the baby caboons head was thinking why isn’t he removing leaves so we can see head 🤦🏻‍♂️😂 blew my mind when I finally noticed unbelievable

I saw the baby gaboon right away, but i did NOT see it's head!! That was crazy, even after you pointed it out i thought it's head was obscured by a leaf-- turns out, their heads are... literally shaped like the leaves there and I didn't even realize it.

I cannot believe you touched it and took the risk. I was throwing my hands in the air saying 'no, dont touch it". Obviously, you are a professional and I would never do that. Thank you for showing us such a gorgeous animal. Which is one of my favorite.

Best Reptile KZread hands down. Dav goes above and beyond once again.

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I think gaboon vipers are incredible. I was visiting my local zoo today and telling the women next to me in front of their exhibit all I knew about them. They weren’t in agreement about how gorgeous I find them, but they were fascinated. This video was super rad - thanks for sharing your travels with us!

The insane thing about the gaboons is you see their bodies before the head.. like uhhhh which end is big BIG danger?!?! Their pattern makes it so perfect their heads jist look like a leaf holy cow

I cannot wait for all the videos from Africa. I'm ecstatic to see more!

I love the smaller animals which I'm not so familiar with. That skink was amazing, great video.

@stefanostokatlidis4861

2 жыл бұрын

Those skinks are somewhat common in the hobby.

Dav, you have outdone yourself on this video. Im from South Africa so this video means lot to me. What an incredible find and I commend you on your efforts to get the desired results. You are a legend to all of us reptile enthusiasts. Keep rattling on dude !

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Brett!

Very cool video, but definitely gave me anxiety watching you handle that viper. Too risky for me.

Dav, I'm so glad you made a video about the conditions you were experiencing in Africa, the lack of food and sleep, etc... because I could definitely see hints of it, and otherwise I would be extremely concerned for your well-being. Gaboon vipers are such beautiful snakes, and they make me feel lucky to be a human, and be able to see through their camouflage.

I like how the people in the beginning were just like "You want snakes, we got snakes. Imma show you all the snakes."

DAV that was amazing! Can't wait to see everything you've got from this journey.

I know you had a rough go of it filming in Africa but I am enjoying the heck out of this video. can't wait to see what else you have in store for us

Seeing the leaf litter and the heavy seams on the leaves it is amazing how the mimicry art works!

Gaboons have always been one of my favorite snakes. They are beautiful but the thing that fascinates me is the fact that they are such a heavy body snake and they can strike as fast as they can. Before I ever heard of gaboon I always thought that the big heavy snakes couldn't move as fast as thin snakes but I was wrong.

I feel this viper isn't talked about enough I appreciate this Dav because such a deadly species of snake should be mentioned more I'd love to see more videos about this viper

What a beautiful animal.... the Gabino Viper is one of my favorites, but the Gaboon will always be the scariest looking snake of all. Their placid demeanor makes them so fascinating to me.

Best reptile videos on the internet. You have successfully restarted my love for reptiles. Thank you

2 жыл бұрын

So glad to hear that!

Hands down Gaboons are my fav. That colour and pattern is just mind blowing! Some of natures finest work

I literally held my breath when you pointed that stick so close to the snake....😅😅😅

Gaboons are my favorite venomous snakes. They’re so beautiful.

That monkey's name in English is "Friday". People in Ghana are named after the day they're born. Didn't know "pets" were too 🤣

I must say you look a little bleak. Next time go with Dingo . Gaboens are here in Natal too. We have restaurants and guest houses 😁. Awesome video. THANKS

2 жыл бұрын

I'll get out with him soon enough!

@NerinaRSA

2 жыл бұрын

@ ja its cheap now. And our biltong / not jerky and droë wors/ dried sausage are very nice. And here we braai/bri not barbeque. The value of 1$ X 16

Easily one of your finest episodes, buddy! Great work and even greater subject matter, Dav!! Bravo!! Jim C.

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

There is nothing better than seeing animals in their natural habitat for sure, so amazing that you got to experience this for yourself!

2 жыл бұрын

I'll never forget it

I gotta say, gaboon vipers are definitely master of camouflage. It took me a while to find the head.

The Gaboon vipers are exceptional. Prettiest snake ever!

Gaboon vipers have extremely beautiful and intricate coloring/patterning. It can also be quite variable with stunning shades of blues, yellows, oranges, reds & coppery gold not uncommon. Their typically docile nature sometimes lulls people into a false sense of security. However for such heavy-bodied snakes they have one of the fastest strike speeds and a nearly 360 degree strike trajectory. They’re also fairly common in the hobby and (being livebearers) with typically large broods they’re usually not outrageously expensive. Seeing kids (‘tweens & young teens) with little-to-no experience keeping “hots” leaving reptile expos with baby Gaboon Vipers is insane. Breeders should act responsibly when selling these animals. Because they are a forest species that live at higher elevations Gaboon and Rhino Vipers require lower ambient temps than most African species. Keeping them too warm in captivity can lead to their demise or ill health.

WOW that gaboon viper! I could spot their backs pretty easily, but that head camouflage is amazing

@josecat436

2 жыл бұрын

I mistook the leaf litter bellow it as the head at first lol

Amazing find Dav, I can only imagine how amazing the feeling was of seeing these beauties out in their native habitat and amongst such a beautiful rock face.

2 жыл бұрын

Like very little else I've ever experienced

I wouldn't walk thru that mountain without them snake boots

I can’t imagine large adult Gaboons have many predators wanting to take a shot at them? Probably why it is so chilled, it knows it’s the boss!

IMOP, Gaboon's and Rhino's are neck and neck in beauty, with Gaboon's getting the slight nod...their occasional hybrid of Gabino are epic

Wasn't feeling well today, dealing with alot of anxiety but this is what I needed. Thank you Dav for posting it today and awesome herping video like always

Love your african trip!i have 10acre farmland in Uganda in december i will be spending some time there to,cant wait to see some nice reptiles and many more,there is some jungle around to have seen some greentreesnakes and a little green mamba!only in a few ouwers there,cant wait for december!!i love the forrestcobra=i love how there collours are and stand up tall!i wish you all the best and good luck with everything you do!i love it!will keep some reptile's in uganda to!hire in belgium its forbidden to have venomous😕

This is awesome man. The Gaboon is my favorite venomous snake! I can only imagine how it must feel to see one in the wild! Thanks for sharing

Such a gorgeous environment! Brings back lovely memories of photographing wildlife on Mt Kenya back in the 90s. Fascinated by the similarities and differences in the flora!

Man is living my dream of catching fire skinks in the wild

Wow that was incredible that gaboon viper was stunning I hope we get to see a rhino.

Gaboon viper is my favorite, good job!!!

Very cool!! The Gaboon is probably my all time dream snake as well, but I gotta ask, why would ya go up a mountain in West Africa specifically to find venomous snakes & not take a hook???

Nice keep them coming!

Gaboon vipers are my most favourite ‘hot’ snake. Aesthetically perfect IMO and so clever and fast in their hunting and defence capabilities. A force I would never want to reckon with but what a gift for you to see not one but two in the wild!

Beautiful gaboons. The adult one's pupils dilated when you were lifting his tail: he/she was on the alert!

I'm hoping u did ornate monitors that be legendary

Gaboon gets my vote, a hikers worst nightmare, but a beautiful snake.😗

I'm amazed every time you travel to make videos. I appreciate the time and potential danger. I'm amazed at how beautiful the patterns are on these animals.

Awesome ty Dāv!! I've always loved LOVED the patterns on a gaboon viper but I've never had a chance to see one in the wild before, I'm amazed how well it blended in.

Awesome Dav! Definitely helping me add to my bucket list! What amazing finds and a good crew! The gaboon/rhino habitat reminds me of the cliffsides we find timbers and copperheads on back home! Interesting similarities there haha

2 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I said when I saw that!

I think those red headed Agamas are common in Central Africa too. I saw at least one in Republic of Congo last year.

I am extremely happy you had this dream experience! I can't express how much I have enjoyed this Africa series. The Gaboon is my favorite, they are fascinating. I haven't ever seen one in person. To see one in the wild, handle it, must have been a thrill of a lifetime. What region of Africa do they have the white heads? Wow my heart is pounding!!

Awesome Dav!!

You are truly living the dream Dav. Finding Gaboon vipers in the wild, and an amazing bull snake collection at home. 10/10 dream goals.

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Dave these Africa vids are next level amazing! Wow! Already watched the savanna monitor vid an was blown away.

OK I like this guy! He's not being an idiot with the snakes. He seems pretty chill.

Been patiently waiting for your videos. So freaking cool Dav 🤘🏼🤘🏼

What an incredible experience. I find the Gabon viper to be at once the most beautiful & the most terrifying snake to behold in person. Of course, I've only experienced this creature with a safe pane of glass separating us. Even without knowing the yield of its venom nor the length of its fangs, my first meeting with this one of a kind viper left me in awe. Lucky you, you got to lift his tail off the ground in the wild. What was that like?

Very cool to see these snakes in their natural habitat! Also, you've done a great job at hiding the actual stress you were under.

Just freaking amazing that kaboom viper was huge not just that but the whole experience being out there we’ll keep anybody on their toes great job

Amazing video! I am so excited for your whole series from this trip! :)

Love the fire skink! Would love to see one in person! Anyone know what US zoos/aquariums might have them?

Went herping in Ghana but only got as far north as Ķumasi. Nice Forest Cobras and some vipers plus a puffy. Not bad. Amazing video many thanks. How far north were you?

This was absolutely incredible! Snakes are just gorgeous and seeing them in the wild is amazing. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!

Ngl that was cool to see that baby gaboon viper!!!

You make me nervous looking at the camera instead of looking at the snake

I love the gaboon viper, the Rhino viper is also a badass looking snake for sure

WOW. Talk about CAMOUFLAGE!!! So many rad species on that mountain! Great stuff, congrats on the finds!!

2 жыл бұрын

Right? I was two feet from it before I noticed it. If I hadn't looked down when I did no one would have seen this video

This is awesome! Can’t wait to see all the videos from Africa.

Great video!!! I think gaboon vipers are some of the coolest and prettiest venomous snakes there are! So cool you found not only a baby but a huge adult as well!!

Amazing Stuff Dad. Thanks so much for taking us along with you. What an amazing experience.

One of my favorite vipers. The famous Gaboon Viper. The world's coolest viper! IMO The most awesome. Longest Fangs, Most Beautifully Patterned! Also love the Gold Viper, the Eyelash Viper, Love any Tree Viper. Man I just love them all haha I can't choose they all look cool & I would love to view any of them in the wild. When I was like 7-8 I did a presentation on Eyelash Vipers that I remember to this day 30 years later. I remember I had a picture of a Beautiful Yellow Eyelash Viper from National Geographic or some other publication! I'm incredibly annoying while visiting the reptile sections of zoos haha

We definitely enjoy your Amazing life that you share Dave.

Amazing footage! Best herp channel on the YT!

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Selfproclaimed

2 жыл бұрын

@ 💯

The West African bush viper was absolutely gorgeous! I'm calling that one as my fav... but I'm partial to green stuff, so.. And, alright, I know you were really hungry and thirsty, but was that REALLY a good enough reson to threaten those poor coffee beans?! Those poor things will make very bitter coffee now... ;) And omg you touched that gabon viper. You. Touched. It. I need a moment for my heart to stop racing.

2 жыл бұрын

One of the best moments of my life for sure! Now to drink some more coffee....

@wynja77

2 жыл бұрын

@ I'd say you deserved it... although after that, I think I'd be permanently awake, due to the adrenaline rush, to be honest ;)

Damned!it took me a few seconds to see the gaboon's head.

Absolutely loved this video, so happy to see you exposing these animals true nature by going where most wouldn't dare

So happy for you man! I could tell from your shaky voice while handling the big gaboon viper that you were living out a lifelong dream. Really glad you were able to find one, and that he was relaxed enough for you to get hands on. I could see in your eyes that you were weighing the options of whether or not to handle it, trying to figure out if the risk was worth it. I think you chose right 😉

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Just before I reached for that tail my inner voice was screaming "what the hell are you doing?" As always I told it to shut the hell up :)

Great video Dāv! 🤘🏻

This is awesome. Thank you for a great video 🐍❤

Fantastic! Gaboons are definitely my favorite venomous snakes! So happy for you for finding one out there! Thanks for sharing it with us!

That fire skink was stunning xx

Among me and my critter buddies, we call these guys Kaboom Vipers for their strike speed. Enough said imho. ;)

You're finally creating the resources I've been looking for for months! I'm so excited to see what you learned about ball pythons but don't tell my one and only snake.... I absolutely adore gaboons. This was a wonderful experience!

Awesome finds Dav I love them both they are truly iconic African snakes. The fire skinks are gorgeous as well. Looking forward to all the other African adventures mate. Again thank you love your videos so informative & interesting. Cheers from down under mate 🦘🦘🦎

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

Wow that was such an incredible video, not only for the viper but for everything you found!

Incredible finds!! What an experience!

Hi, 1st time seeing you. My favorite snake has always been the gabon viper. Thank you so much for going thru all you did to show us where they actually live! You must have had an awesome trip. You proved how calm they are to just lay there camouflaged. Awesome

Absolutely phenomenal footage and really ballsy endeavor! Gaboons are my number 1 favorite snake and to see them in their natural habitat is incredible!

Awesome video Dave especially the background music 🎶

Beautiful vlog! Appreciate all your hard work.

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Amazing as always. Some great landscapes as well as the animals. The level of focus you need to stay safe in that environment is unbelievable, adding on to everything you mentioned last video about keeping all your plans and equipment straight in the head. I can feel the strain from here. Keep up the good work, and while I can't answer for you whether this was all worth it or not, from my end of things I am enjoying it immensely.

wow, awesome adventure.