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VenomousReptiles.org Survey
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Survey Question
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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!
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We are interested to hear about how active our site members are within the herpetoculture/herpetology community. How have you been actively promoting herp conservation and other related NON-COMMERCIAL aspects within the last 12 months? Please specify in the comments section.
Posted: Oct 01, 2006
(82 votes, 12 comments)
by Nightflight99
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Survey Results
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By giving presentations and/or seminars to the general public
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51% (42)
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By giving presentations/seminars to a herp audience
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7% (6)
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By submitting articles for herpetological bulletins/magazines/newsletters
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6% (5)
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By organizing meetings/field trips/non-commercial events
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12% (10)
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By donating money to conservation groups/funds
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7% (6)
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My activities have been largely on a commercial basis
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6% (5)
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I have not been actively promoting herps within the specified time frame
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10% (8)
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Survey Comments
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Education is key!
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I have provided education to local EMS, emergency department staff and physicians in the management of snakebites. In addition, I go to local schools and provide education to the children both on the dangers and value to the environment of snakes. I have been at various openings of EDs with a booth regarding local species and dangers of bites. education is the key to protecting snakes and the public, in addition, it gets this organizations name out there and promotes interests.
Posted by
JoeCrotalid
on December 12, 2006
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Education is key!
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I have provided education to local EMS, emergency department staff and physicians in the management of snakebites. In addition, I go to local schools and provide education to the children both on the dangers and value to the environment of snakes. I have been at various openings of EDs with a booth regarding local species and dangers of bites. education is the key to protecting snakes and the public, in addition, it gets this organizations name out there and promotes interests.
Posted by
JoeCrotalid
on December 12, 2006
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I have been requested by our local area High Schools to give small displays and talks to multiple classrooms on my reptiles. Everyone seemed excited when they saw the snakes. Most students had never touched a snake prior. I also assisted with the NC Herp Booth at the last NC Reptile and Exotic Show in Raleigh. Sorry to say I missed our November meeting but I was in SC for the show.
Posted by
Pigbaby
on November 9, 2006
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VENOMOUS KEEPING
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I have been keeping hots for 30 years im 42 years old yes i started at 12.It is a god given passion as are the snakes ARCHIE
Posted by
lep1pic1
on October 31, 2006
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Education
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I teach in a rural high school and spend time every semester educating my students, other educators, and anyone else interested in the beauty and importance of reptiles. Reptiles have a very important niche in our ecology.
Charles B.
Biology teacher
North Central High School
Kershaw, S.C.
Posted by
Crotalusssp
on October 24, 2006
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c'mon!
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well,ac2ally,wat im doing to promote wildlife conservation is none of the given choices..wat i do is educate people around me about wildlife..i give information about certain species such as their habitats,their way of living and most of ol,their importance in our environment..,it's upto dem if they wil absorb those info but am glad to say dat most pipol do...wel, im luking 4ward to founding an organization hir in the philippines regarding wildlife conservation..
Posted by
rocker
on October 11, 2006
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I voted the 3rd option but I actualy did all the first 4:
By giving presentations and/or seminars to the general public
By giving presentations/seminars to a herp audience
By submitting articles for herpetological bulletins/magazines/newsletters
By organizing meetings/field trips/non-commercial events
Best regards, Alex S.
Posted by
Snake18
on October 10, 2006
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How very strange that the survey won't let you pick multiple answers.
Starting at the top, I give lectures on recognition and conservation of venomous snakes to school groups, scout groups, wives groups, business groups (field engineers), nature groups and herp groups. Basically, anyone who is interested enough to invite me to speak.
I have written several articles and send copies of them to people upon request.
I do not organize meetings or donate money and I am not involved in any commercial enterprises with venomous snakes.
I intend to become more involved as soon as I shift into my next career at the end of the year.
Karl
Posted by
Buzztail1
on October 9, 2006
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Classes classes classes!
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At every class that I teach, I ALWAYS include my reasons for accepting venomous reptiles as an integral part of nature. And I teach classes primarily on snakebite! Somehow I pull it off though. I have had a lot of people over the years come back to me and tell me how they "let that snake go", that normally would have been hacked to pieces with a hoe, or run over with a car. And the people always seem to proud of themselves afterward. I love that.
Posted by
Chris_Harper
on October 5, 2006
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This may sound selfish -- but
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This may sound selfish but...
The ONLY thing that will save this hobby is showing someone its value. If DNR and local law enforcement look at you as an asset, then when a law does get passed you will be first in line for permits. When nosey nina down the street finds out you keep venomous and complains -- it will be nice to already have the people she's complaining to on your side. I jump at the chance to do snake calls for local 911 for that very reason (and for the free snakes lol)
Chad
Posted by
SwampY
on October 1, 2006
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Education
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Very nicely stated Doug !
Best Regards JohnZ
Posted by
Cro
on October 1, 2006
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I believe that the conservation and the preservation of our wildlife and other natural resources hinges on our ability to educate and fascinate the masses. We live in a society where even though the public at large is far more environmentally savvy than those a generation ago, they are also far more apathetic towards many things and we find it increasingly difficult to stimulate and excite them enough to look up from their I-pods, laptops or joysticks long enough to take notice of the world changing around them. This is why education, and I am speaking of informal type education, is so vital to conservation. People need to be reached, they need to be excited, moved, and filled with a sense of awe and amazement that only nature can bring.
Don’t get me wrong here, formal education and speaking academically have their place as well. As do well managed propagation programs aimed at long-term conservational goals. These are all a part of the critical mix of positive conservation programs. However, if we only speak dryly of our conservation initiative and miss that golden opportunity to bring the magic of that animal and its habitat to the people in an exciting an educational way, then we have truly failed. In the end these animals and their habitats are not going to be saved simply because some scientists write a paper and present it to others in some lonely room about their genetic makeup. They will be saved because the public at large actually CARES. They have a real sense of stewardship for all living things including the reptiles and other little squiggly things that crawl the planet. Because they have been educated, shown these things by people like you who cared enough to take the time to demonstrate your knowledge and patience with them and bring these things just a little closer to building a relationship of understanding and compassion.
While it’s true that you or I may not be the one that saves the planet, or changes the world single handedly; you might take 15 minutes to educate someone and turn them onto nature one day....and they just might!
Doug Hotle
General Curator
Abilene ZOOlogical Gardens
Abilene, TX
Posted by
AquaHerp
on October 1, 2006
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