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!
A television company offers you a single show catching a highly dangerous reptile species somewhere in the world. If you do well there might be a series to follow. However, there will be no money for this first film, and no set-up sequences or retakes, so if you mess up it may well be in the film. What would you do (be honest) ?   Posted: Aug 23, 2004   (186 votes, 17 comments) by Chris_Harper   Say yes because you feel totally confident that you can find and handle the reptile whilst delivering factual information to the camera in a professional manner.   Consider it strongly and postively. You are sure you could do it as well as anybody, so you are prepared to risk it for the chance of becoming famous.   Think carefully and cautiously about it. You feel nervous presenting a talk to a few dozen herpers at the herp meetings, let alone being in front of millions on camera, and you are worried about messing up publicly.   Decline politely; you don't seek the limelight.     (186 votes, 17 comments)
Survey Results
Say yes because you feel totally confident that you can find and handle the reptile whilst delivering factual information to the camera in a professional manner. 41% (77) Consider it strongly and postively. You are sure you could do it as well as anybody, so you are prepared to risk it for the chance of becoming famous. 24% (45) Think carefully and cautiously about it. You feel nervous presenting a talk to a few dozen herpers at the herp meetings, let alone being in front of millions on camera, and you are worried about messing up publicly. 13% (25) Decline politely; you don't seek the limelight. 21% (39)
Survey Comments
IM TO SHY im way to shy to be in the limelight!!!!! Posted by sweet_becca on January 21, 2005 Television show I have had my 15 minutes of fame, the program is not at issue. I would do the narration and capture just because I can. Steve Irwin has a little stick and I am not to sure about Jeff Corwin. Filming for a program with animals is not scripted, it just happens, let the cameras roll, there may be interesting out takes for laughs. Posted by Hotsnakes12 on January 11, 2005 The only way... I would do it only way I feel it should be done... Uncut and unedited. After all don't we see enough of pre-rehearsed and pre-staged (animals)? Maybe it's time for reality t.v. to take on a herp show. I feel I would find it more entertaining seeing a episode where the host is in search of a selected species but never finds it than have him/her find a snake that they just happened to come across that looks like it has been hand fed from birth. I'm mean really who believes this stuff. Anybody here that has ever field herped knows you can go out many times out in the field and still find nothing. Who is going to believe a host's spill on conservation when every two feet he/she is literally stepping on snakes out in the open. Just my .02, Todd Posted by RepFan on January 8, 2005 Fame can never... ...be a bedfellow to tranquility. I have experience hiking and learning how to avoid rattlesnakes. But other than that I have no experience in catching one in a non destructive manner. I can, however, show you how to use a snake hook. And how to impale the lawyer that sues your behind off for making a misake. You wind up and slice across the face. With luck you'll take off everything from one side of the face to the other. But seriously, I can give a seminar on how to avoid rattlesnake dens and what type of footwear is best; as I walk through the cowboy cologne. But I doubt that'll be profitable....even if I would like to do it. Posted by Raiha-San on November 6, 2004 for me its because Alot of times when preforming things like this infront of tons of people you get nervous... and you might make a stupid mistake and get bit. Posted by littleherper on September 16, 2004 just a keeper i would rather not be the one to take the limelight away from those that know more than me...i would rather see a person that has lots more expearence than me do a show such as this ......i have always been a humble person i guess......and if anyone ever gets this chance i wish them all the luck in the world. Posted by ALA_herp31 on September 14, 2004 Posted by bigboy on September 13, 2004 No Prob I've sung on stage since I was four (when I caught my first snake!) and at 40 a crowd or camera is as natural as taking a bath. I might want an assistant for a 20-foot croc or a huge black mamba (yikes!), but otherwise I'd love it. Dani Posted by twoblackbelts on September 3, 2004 I would somehow relay the act of finding herps let alone a certain species whether it is common or rare along with the given variables that come into play such as the weather, season, habitat. I would also highlight the species of animals and plants along the way. That way, if I don't find the target species, the audience would have already had fun anyhow. I think a greater appreciation for all living things and the niches they fill is just as important as finding the target species. It would work out in the host's and venue's favor. Just my 2 cents. Robert Villa Posted by HELERI on August 30, 2004 i too have no problems speeking to large groups at least if i mess up it shows i'm human as long as i don't mess up and end up needing hospital treatment 200 miles from the nearest antivien 5 days hike in the middle of the amazon jungle :( Posted by mat on August 30, 2004 Its better to have tried and failed then to have never tried at all! Posted by new2hots on August 24, 2004 Not to become famous, but.... if they'd fund a trip to hunt bushmasters for a few months, I'd do it in a second....No planted snakes---just keep searching and searching and searching.... (and if we were going to plant a snake, we'd at least get the right species on the right side of Costa Rica!) MH Posted by MattHarris on August 24, 2004 yes I would without even thinking it over. I love to work with any type of animals. I always film animals that I find and make little "Shows" about them. Posted by bush_viper17 on August 24, 2004 No such category... I would surely give it a shot, for the chance at a possibly lucrative show and to hopefully show some more reasonably handling techniquies. If I don't find it, that's too bad. If I can't handle it safely I'll let it go (unless it means directly endangering others). Either of those two things might be considered a "failure", but neither is worse than not having tried. Might I get nervous about the camera, and babble incoherently with my gaze locked on the snake's head? Maybe, but that doesn't worry me too much. The worst that would do is make me look like a normal human who shouldn't have thier own show... Posted by LarryDFishel on August 24, 2004 i would like it just for the chance to be paid (quite a bit if it's a show) to do something i love more than anything. Posted by Crotalus976 on August 23, 2004 Becoming famous vs too worried I think there is a HUGE gap between risking it for the chance to become famous and being nervous presenting to a group of herpers. I present to large groups all the time (I work better when I have more than a few seconds to prepare - honest!) but I wouldn't risk it to become famous. What I am trying to say is that I would risk messing up on film but not for the chance to be famous. Maybe for the chance to show the viewing public that particular animal's beauty or to reach a few more people about how snakes need their place on the earth but fame is fleeting and relative. The people who care about us, care about us whether we are famous or not. Isn't that right, Thomas? ;-) Karl Posted by Buzztail1 on August 23, 2004 I would just love to have a shot.Failing is nothing. Failing to try is everything! Posted by cottonmouth on August 23, 2004 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!