VenomousReptiles.org Survey

Survey Question	Current Survey Question Should hobbyists ever free handle venomous reptiles with their hands? Recent Surveys Most venomous/toxic Naja species in the world? I have read that the Philippine cobra is the most venomous (mice, 0.2 mg/kg SC with the lowest reported value being 0.14 mg/kg SC) (Brown, 1973). I have recently, come across something in the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (Vol. 30, (issue 12), pages: 1158-1162, 1992) which stated that the LD50 for Naja oxiana was the most toxic/venomous (mice, 0.18 mg/kg SC and lowest reported value was 0.10 mg/kg). Along with that, the mortality rate for untreated Naja oxiana bites are the highest among all Naja species (70-80%). N.oxiana also produced the lowest known lethal dose (LCLo) of 0.005 mg/kg, the lowest among all cobra species ever recorded, derived from an individual case of poisoning by intracerebroventricular injection. Following N. oxiana and N. philippinensis are N. melanoleuca at 0.225 mg/kg SC and then N. samarensis at 0.23 mg/kg. The water cobras (N. annulata and N. christyi also have very toxic venoms, but no SC values are listed. Only intraperitoneal (IP) values of 0.143 mg/kg for N. annulata and 0.12 mg/kg for N. christyi. IP values tend to be generally lower (more toxic than subcutaneous values, so it would be unfair to compare their IP results to the subcutaneous (SC) results of other Naja species. Then I have heard that (without solid evidence) that Naja nivea is the most venomous, although their murine SC LD50 range anywhere from 0.4 mg/kg (Toxicon, Vol. 5, issue 1, page 47, 1967) to 0.72 mg/kg (Australian venoms and toxins Databse). So which is the most venomous? To me it seems obvious that it is the Caspian or Oxus cobra (Naja oxiana), followed by the Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis). What do you think or know? I've noticed that the Australian venom and toxin Database seems to have higher LD50 values for all snakes across the board. For example, for the black mamba IP value of 0.01 mg/kg is listed (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004101018890219X) and Ernst and Zug et al 1996, list a SC value of 0.05 mg/kg for the black mamba. While the Australian venom and toxin Database listed much less toxic LD50's. So there seems to be a lot of variation. 2014-01-23 What's Your Favorite Venomous Snake? 2013-11-13 Deadliest Bite? 2013-09-16 IF the science of self-immunization for a snake envenomation was proven/perfected what is the least benefit(percentage) you would accept before practicing it on yourself? 2013-06-06 how did you learn to keep venomous reptiles? 2013-03-02 View All Survey Questions Have a good idea for a VenomousReptiles.org Survey question? Enter your idea!
Thanks for voting! Your vote has been included in the results below. Have you been bitten by a venomous snake?   Posted: Aug 12, 2000   (86 votes, 6 comments) by bill
Survey Results
Yes 37% (32) No 63% (54)
Survey Comments
Bites I don't encourage hostility. When threatened, I have destroyed. Expect the same from most specie. In a protected environment, controls bring some measure of security. In a "natural habitat", Darwin suggests a more reasonable explanation. Posted by walkmaster on September 21, 2001 Would I ever tell anyone? If I had been bitten by a venomous snake, would I have the courage to fess up to the herpetological community? I doubt it! Posted by Anonymous on December 18, 2000 almost A copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) was playing dead beside a creek, when I got close he rolled over and struck at me. Luckily my stick was faster. I was going to keep it but my cousin shot him. Posted by CUJO13 on October 16, 2000 Snakebite I was bitten when I was 9 years old. The treatment then was a lot different than now. The bite was from Crotalus Atrox, 18" long, full of venom. I had all the symptoms of a severe envenomation and survived to teach venomous identification and 1st aid. The year bitten was 1960. The bite was not due to mishandling but to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thank you. I am enjoying your site. Rhonda Posted by Anonymous on September 11, 2000 yes I have been bitten 6 times....some dry but its not a big deal....i stuffed up I suffer the consquences....BLACKSNAKE aka SCOTT EIPPER Posted by BLACKSNAKE on September 5, 2000 No venom As far as I could surmise it was a dry bite from an eyelash viper. Some nausea, and cold sweat. That's it. Posted by RYANW on August 19, 2000 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!