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!
Which small herpetological island or island group would you most like to visit (and why)?   Posted: Dec 17, 2004   (202 votes, 31 comments) by Chris_Harper   Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (iguanas and tortoises)   Round Island, Indian Ocean (one rare and one poss. extinct boas)   Chappell Island, Bass Strait, Tasmania (giant tigersnakes)   Ihla Queimada, Brazil Grande (golden lancehead)   Komodo Islands, Indonesia (here be dragons)   Solomon Islands (monkey-tail skinks)   Fiji (iguanas)     (202 votes, 31 comments)
Survey Results
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (iguanas and tortoises) 7% (15) Round Island, Indian Ocean (one rare and one poss. extinct boas) 6% (12) Chappell Island, Bass Strait, Tasmania (giant tigersnakes) 17% (35) Ihla Queimada, Brazil Grande (golden lancehead) 33% (67) Komodo Islands, Indonesia (here be dragons) 31% (62) Solomon Islands (monkey-tail skinks) 3% (7) Fiji (iguanas) 2% (4)
Survey Comments
anacondas/queimada grande Bothrops would be my choice too. But sweet_becca, i don't think you can see a anaconda (e. murinus) in Queimada Grande.. this would be possible in the up side of Brazil, central and north part. there in Queimada you may see some bothrops (moojeni/insularis/sp1/sp2/alcatraz/pirajai) and some other animals.. you can (or can't) see a corallus cropanii. i think this would be the closer to some boidae there hehe but there's a wonderful place, with their own habitat, completaly diferent of all seem around. it would be perfect, if we havent got some problems with burns and birds hunters.. Posted by dnl on June 20, 2005 wow i would love to go to Ihla Queimada, Brazil Grande (golden lancehead) just to get to see a anaconda boy oh boy would i just love that:)!!!!!!!THERES NOT MUCH TO SAY BUT WOW WOW WOW ID BE IN HEAVEN!!!! Posted by sweet_becca on January 21, 2005 Definitely Dragons Hello, I've kept reptiles for lots of years now and all agamids and monitors are extremely interesting creatures, from tiny to huge. So of course I'd love to see their big brothers. I'm new to this site. Im 40 something , happily married forever, with a son who loves herpetology too. Hopefully it will be his carrer choice along the line. I'm impressed because of the names I see. I've got books by most of these recognisable names . And quite honestly - - I love learning, and I'm happy to learn from those more fortunate to have taken that road and gained that experience. Ive kept the basic aussie reptiles - they are 'gateway drug' reptiles to the snake kingdom lol. once hooked it's useless to fight it I've noted. Ive beardeds, skinks, pythons and amphibians. Em Posted by Snakespeare on January 20, 2005 komodo islands has to be the komodos the king of reptiles being the cheif resident Posted by wilson_graham on January 20, 2005 Komodo All the Way! I would have go with Komodo Island without a doubt. I mean who wouldn't what to see a living dragon in their natural habitat.I have long been a fan of the varanid genus and the Komodos are the King of the varanids. Later, Todd Posted by RepFan on January 8, 2005 Lancehead Ive allwayse dreamed about gowing to Ihla Queimada to catch a golden lancehead. i have a lot of respect for this butifull snake Posted by The_Herp_Boy on January 6, 2005 Komodo Anything for the dragons...that and my male friends would fall all over themselves to get their hands on pictures of them, much less a specimen of such. They're suicidal like that. I just think it would help my artistic ability, and be fascinating to study anyway. Posted by Raiha-San on January 5, 2005 Lanceheads Bothrops would be my choice, but only since it would mean I am in Brazil, and although going to the island would be ok, I would much rather be searching for Atlantic forest bushmasters! They are a much tougher find these days than insularis. The island would be worth seeing simply for the ecological niche these snakes fill, although, having seen captive insularis, I can honestly say, they aren't the most impressive looking or prettiest Bothrops out there. Posted by MattHarris on January 5, 2005 I'd go for the Golden lanceheads, without a doubt :) Posted by Snakeskin on January 2, 2005 for me it would be the Galapagos i would love to see all the other places too, but the wife loves her torts Posted by mat on January 1, 2005 Galapagos Since I was a wee lad, I have determined if I ever come into enough resources, I will visit the Galapagos Islands And those resources would have to be enough to secure the necessary permits ( and bribes ) to get on and off the islands... wizzo Posted by imajsfrk on December 31, 2004 A hard choice I would like to visit Komodo and the Galapogos both equally. The giant tortoises and the komodo dragon are both such beautiful animals. They are my favorites next to Crotalus. Posted by rattlesnake2 on December 30, 2004 Golden Lancehead With a Brazilian Navy ban on stepping foot on the island of Queimada Grande, I think just the privelege of going there would make my millenium... Posted by SephirothJones on December 28, 2004 Lancehead I saw it first on the Discovery channel and after that whatever the day is i have only dreamt about handling the Golden Lancehead with my hands. It would really be a dream come true Posted by slithersacs on December 28, 2004 Komodo Komodo is the choice although a very difficult one each and every place has its own unique treasures to be found Komodo is one place that inmy life i hope to visit one to see the awesome komodo dragon they are one of the most amazing creatures on the planet and to be the largest of the varanids that deserves respect in itself not to mention the unusual way they can kill there prey with one bite from there bacteria infested mouth and yet they show no ill efects to it even when bitten by another dragon but not just for the komodo dragon but for the many other interesting and amazing creatures the islands are host too with this being said its one of my many dreams i hope will one day be a reality Posted by TonyC on December 27, 2004 Pipe Dreams First of all, to be given the priviledge to visit Queimada Grande would be out there, but to actually be able to step foot on the land and take a look at the abundant bothrops roaming the island would be nothing more than pipe dreams. For Mark to have been one of the lucky few to have done this must surely sit well with him. Cheers, Matt Posted by Dadee on December 23, 2004 This Survey You may be interested to know that this question was submitted by none other than Mark O'Shea. He emailed several to me, and all have been very entertaining. ~Chris Harper webmaster Posted by Chris_Harper on December 23, 2004 extinct It'd be excellent to rediscover a critically endangered boa. and who hasn't read durrell's stories of collections on the island, of the green Phelsuma and skinks it'd be amazing Posted by Ishan on December 22, 2004 Bothrops Are you guys kidding? The snakes from the genus Bothrops are amazing. I hear you don't have to look very long before you find a Golden Lancehead on the island either. The quicker the better. I hate days of searching and no results. Posted by CHorridus912 on December 20, 2004 Queimada Grande An island crawling with highly toxic snakes? May nirvana itself boast of such heavenly bliss. Posted by toddg on December 20, 2004 komodo for the komodo dragons (of course) and also has several other reptile species around Posted by aussieherper on December 20, 2004 Golden Dreams I would love to be one of the chosen few that gets to look for (Bothrops insularis) the Golden Lancehead on Ihla queimada, Brazil, if only for one day. Man, what a dream that would be..........Happy herping Wally Posted by ALA_herp31 on December 19, 2004 ihla queimada What a wonderful opportunity that would be to see the beautiful lancehead up close and personal every few feet. That has to be an unbelievable feeling to view so many venomous snakes in such a small area. Incredible just doesn't describe it. Posted by blackbeard on December 18, 2004 Indonesia Simply because komodo dragons and king cobras would be a neat pair of wildlife to look for. Posted by KingCobraFan on December 18, 2004 komodo vs. galapagos it was a tough choice for me between those 2 islands. i chose the galapagos islands because i really love tortoises and i always wanted to go there, but it was more like a tie for me between the komodo islands and the galapagos islands. i would go to any of them in a heartbeat though. Posted by ReptileBob on December 18, 2004 Verry hard choice Most of theese islands(or island groups) are my life ambition. I picked Quiemada Grande but I couln`t be satisfied if I wouldn`t get a chanse to visit the Galapagos and Komodo islands sooner or later. Alex S. Posted by Snake17 on December 18, 2004 Komodo not only a place to find the largest monitor lizard know to be alive today, but also home to many snakes including cobra... Posted by jared_cormier on December 17, 2004 BRAZIL OR INDONESIA WOULD BE AN AWESOME TRIP. ACTUALLY ALL WOULD BE GREAT AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU GUYS GET TO SEE A LOT OF THOSE PLACES. Posted by cottonmouth on December 17, 2004 Herp Island I've been to Komodo and it was just awesome. Best field trip on my life. See this link for pictures: http://groups.msn.com/CactusCritters/asiatrip.msnw I would have to say Chappell Island. The Tiger Snakes are unique there because they almost exclusively feed (gorge really) on Mutton Birds. During nesting season is pretty much the only feed they get during the year. Just a fascinating ecosystem to explore. Al Posted by Phobos on December 17, 2004 komodo Since I was very young, I have watched the documentaries on Komodo dragons and they always impressed me. Truely the last of the dinosaurs!!! Clayton Posted by Scootertrash on December 17, 2004 Lancehead They dont let many people near that island. Posted by captiveherps on December 17, 2004 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!