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. Who was your all-time favourite "Snake Wrangler" on the National Geographic shows?   Posted: Jun 12, 2004   (802 votes, 12 comments) by c_m_pyrrhus
Survey Results
Jim Harrison (Fer de Lance's & Rattlesnakes) 36% (292) Dr Bryan Fry (Seasnakes) 8% (61) Dr Zoltan Takacs (Spitters & Gaboons) 9% (73) Thomas Eimermacher (Water cobras) 35% (281) David Williams (Taipans & Tiger snakes) 3% (26) Dr Bruce Means (Rattlers & King snakes) 4% (35) Brian Bush (Habu, Aussie copperheads and king browns) 4% (34)
Survey Comments
crap Posted by hazzz on July 5, 2004 I voted for Thomas. I especially liked the fact that his show was about one of the snakes I like best ;) BGF and Alexia are second with me this season :) Posted by Snakeskin on June 26, 2004 Jim Harrison My vote is for Jim Harrison.That doesnt mean any of the others are under his skill level , come on who else would get married on National Geo. That was a great idea . Plus as said before breaking his nose on a fallen tree or rock again now thats just to funny. When I watched his show I felt like I almost knew him , and thats why he got my vote. Posted by Yellowstoneguy on June 19, 2004 Jim Jims been like a second father to me, he has taught me about venomous snakes since i was 15. He doesnt use cheesy lines like crikey or "one snake a day" in the jungle. Plus the fact that jim really doesnt like being filmed makes him look realistic on camera. He diddnt do anything fake, (i knew he wouldnt). and he's just an all around good human being (you dont find many of those. Posted by DougW on June 19, 2004 Well, I have to vote for Jim H. I was with him on that trip when Nat. Geo. filmed the lancehead show. I have been a friend of his for a long time. Jim is a simple guy! He is Honest, dedicated, passionate about snakes, venom and research. Moreso he truly cares about people ( almost as much as snakes) haha! Finally Jim is real. If we didn't find a St. Lucian Lancehead, then the show was not going to have a St. Lucian Lancehead in it! Period! Those few things are what make a good show! Plus the 3 finger Uncle Jim thing!!!!! Oh and the sandals...Oh and the falling in the river and breaking your nose...Oh and...Just an all around good guy! Sorry, Jim I couldn't resist those! Posted by stopgetinpopped on June 16, 2004 jim harrison jim and Kristen are good family i have only been only been to the zoo once but it was the best learning zoo i have been to in my life. He has been like a dad to me but he not he is my brother dad but we all consider him are dad Posted by kamoore10 on June 16, 2004 Give me a break! Guys. Come on. We don't mind that you specifically point out the shortcomings of individuals, but the name calling is ridiculous. You can't possibly expect us to leave those posts up. For the record, let me give you an example of what is acceptable. "Joe is a careless handler who gives erroneous facts about snakes." That's acceptable. To say that "Joe is a bumbling idiot" is not. Stick to your observations and avoid the name calling. Posted by Chris_Harper on June 16, 2004 Jim Harrison Jim Harrison and Kristen Wiley (let’s not forget her) are committed to making everything as “real” and un-staged as possible. They’d probably be doing a lot more shows if willing to “sell-out” and stage dramatic scenes like most of the popular herp TV personalities do. So, you may only see a few shows, but what you see is real. From Jim’s broken nose to the fact that he only caught one lancehead…like someone else said, it’s the real deal. Posted by Drymarchon on June 15, 2004 Jim Harrison I really like Jim Harrison and love the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. I live out of state, so have only gotten to visit it once. That was last year year and I've been itching to go back every since. Jim's a really nice, down-to-earth guy with lots of interesting stories, and I'm always glad to see him featured on a show. Posted by widdletweety on June 14, 2004 Jim Harrison Harrison is the real deal and I can not imagine snake wrangling with anyone else. His work with venoms and the personal touch he gives to the show is what people need to see on these shows. Posted by ofa on June 14, 2004 all-time favourite They all are but, Brian Bush has been a friend of mine for two years now and I have to say his shows were great. He is planning a trip to the US some time soon to do a few new shows. He e-mailed me last week and said it was bloody cold there right now. I know he hates not being able to go find any reptiles. But, I loved watching them all. Fabian Posted by Fabian on June 13, 2004 All great!! Thanks Bryan ,T.E and Jim for your work on these shows.I cant get enough of the GOOD snakes programs. Posted by live4hots on June 11, 2004 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!