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!
What is your preferred source for acquiring snakes to add to your collection?   Posted: Nov 01, 2005   (150 votes, 15 comments) by Nightflight99   Reptile shows   Online classifieds   Breeders   Importers   I prefer to catch them myself   Other (please specify)   I do not keep venomous reptiles.     (150 votes, 15 comments)
Survey Results
Reptile shows 20% (30) Online classifieds 10% (15) Breeders 37% (56) Importers 3% (4) I prefer to catch them myself 15% (23) Other (please specify) 4% (6) I do not keep venomous reptiles. 11% (16)
Survey Comments
Introduce my self Hi all Im David from Kimberley South Africa.. im 15 years old and i collect hots and any other reptiles... i did not see any place to introduce so i thought ill just do it here...Do any of u guys have african hots? Posted by Dmaguire on December 21, 2005 acquisition most of the snakes and reptiles in my collection came from shows or local breeders only one came from it's place of origin an amethestine python given to me 1973 by joe bredl signed qual Posted by qual on December 11, 2005 I don't do snakes I found my way to this place in search of info on handling snakes in order to safely deal with them rather than destroy. That search lead to some freaky sites. Any links for info sent to eddykk29@hotmail.com will not be abused. This is a good site, I think. NC Posted by NC on December 4, 2005 Over the years I have gotten to know and or recognize a lot of the reputable breeders. Many of them turn up now and again at various shows and some do not. I strive to never buy an animal from an internet source who I do not personally know and only rarely buy an animal at a show from someone about whom I cannot find a good reference. This hobby has been flooded by people who are only in it for the short term make a quick buck fling. This kind of "dealer" doesn't really care if you are prepared to deal with the animal that they sell you, if the animal is healthy, if the animal is legal for you to have, etc. They just want the money and on to the next mark. Some of these people will even go so far as to fake their own death to get out of having to send animals for which they have already received money. I highly recommend only doing business with reputable dealers with whom you can arrange a face to face meeting. Just my own personal experience and opinion. Karl H. betz Posted by Buzztail1 on December 1, 2005 Private Breeders The smaller, private breeders are by far the best. They generally take great pride in their stock and want their customers to keep coming back. You can find many of these breeders at herp shows as well as on this website and many others (myself included). Most will also be happy to field any questions or problems you might run across. Take care fellow "hot heads." Posted by connorlrar on November 16, 2005 I like dealing with.... The smaller breeders and dealers.I find them to be more personal and more honest.I have made several friends and buisness contacts by sticking with the small guy.I make it a point to not deal with the larger dealers.They dont have time to get on a personal level with you and, its been my experience that when somthing goes wrong on a deal they are the last to admit they were wrong and the last to make it right.I'm not talking about every large dealer....but most.I wont name names but I can think of 4 that I wouldnt even throw a dime at.If your looking for a good source of hots from a great guy who is personable and honest try Tim Colston of MADDREPTILES...a great guy with great animals!! JMHO Trey Posted by live4hots on November 15, 2005 Only Natives “How Cruel” Because of the fact I live in a Hot Hating State, I can’t own anything that is not Indigenous to my Home State. This Law also says that I can’t bring any Snake into the State, even if the Species can be found in Alabama. This being said, I can’t Buy any Venomous Snakes from out of State, this really does not make any sense to me “does it to Ya’ll”? So in this case, I either have to Buy my Snakes from Local Keepers or Catch Them Myself. Boy, when the State of Alabama Passed their Hot Laws they really made it hard on the Keepers here....................Sincerely not Happy with Alabama Hot Laws.....................Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally Posted by ALA_herp31 on November 13, 2005 I get most of my herps from an importer, only because my best friend is one and I get them wholesale. Posted by captiveherps on November 13, 2005 i only keep what i catch also unless it is from someone i know that has the no how and the heart who wants a sick animal or a deseased animal to take back to the house and spread what ever i have my own hunting grounds in n.c. and i have fared well longtooth Posted by longtooth on November 11, 2005 shows Could someone please tell me if the south carolina show in january 89 06 is still at the temple i heard it has been moved but i can,t find out for sure thanx for any help longtooth www.ckjbeck3@cs.com Posted by longtooth on November 9, 2005 survey firstly, i must agree with crotalus75... i have acquired my snakes in all the ways shown in the survey, but most important of all, always make sure you know what you're getting. i have had too ban so many people from SOS2 (annual south african snake exhibition) because of the quality of their snakes. unfortunately there are a few breeders who just want too make a quick buck, and if someone comes round that wants too start breeding snakes, they will happily sell him a snake that has feeding problems, mouth rot or scale rot. Posted by troskie69 on November 7, 2005 I have acquired specimens by all of those methods....but I prefer CBB animals that I can hand pick myself....regardless of the source. The most important thing is to get the animals from a trustworthy source with a long standing reputation for honesty and quality. I do not get animals from parties involved in the venomoid trade. As a rule these people tend to have low quality stuff and less than honest business practices. Posted by Crotalus75 on November 3, 2005 Reptile Shows... I voted reptile shows but of the shows I normally buy from breeders/vendors or from vendors that have c.c.b.s from a breeder. ~Todd Posted by RepFan on November 2, 2005 I only keep what I catch,kind of a challenge thing. Although I do love reptile expos and get most of my exotics from them. Posted by cottonmouth on November 2, 2005 Jaroslav Breeders, friends gives, Sometimes I of them myself catch, Posted by Jaroslav on November 1, 2005 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!