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 the longest time period that you have continuously kept one individual snake in your collection?   Posted: Nov 01, 2006   (139 votes, 18 comments) by Nightflight99   Less than one year   1-3 years   3-6 years   6-9 years   9-12 years   More than 12 years (please specify)   I do not keep venomous reptiles     (139 votes, 18 comments)
Survey Results
Less than one year 4% (5) 1-3 years 9% (12) 3-6 years 31% (43) 6-9 years 19% (27) 9-12 years 14% (20) More than 12 years (please specify) 19% (26) I do not keep venomous reptiles 4% (6)
Survey Comments
A pair of Okeetee Corn hatchlings were given to me on my B-day in 1987. The male died in 2001, the female 2004. Posted by Cflaguy on March 31, 2007 Not a snake but.... I have an american alligator that I bought in Ohio almost a dozen years ago....thats currently my oldest herp. Posted by Crotalus75 on November 25, 2006 The longest two individual snakes I have been able to keep consistantly are a male C. tigris (Tiger rattler) and a male C. helleri (Southern Pacific) both caught back in 98. Thanks largely to the military, I was forced to give up various species of animals from 87 to 97. So now it is just a matter of waiting to see how long something can/will last. Bret Posted by Irishviper on November 16, 2006 Agkistrodon c. mokasen I kept a WC, Northern Copperhead by the name of �Dude�, for about 7 Years. He Died of Natural Causes, about 2 Years ago. I miss this little fellow very much, he had the best disposition of any Venomous Snake I had ever Kept, or probably ever would. Bad thing is, that when I moved from the house I lived in at the time I had him. All of the Pictures that had been taken were left behind on accident but, at least I have the memories. Be Safe Ya�ll, Happy Herping : Wally Posted by ALA_snake33 on November 15, 2006 hello from Japan Hi!�@My name is YUSU from Tokyo Japan. I have snakes, Ovophis okinavensis(Japanese venomous viper)x3, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri(Dusty Pigmy rattle snake)x1, Heterodon nasicus nasicus(albino Western Hognosed snake)x1, Elaphe climacophora(Japanese rat snake albino and normal)each 1. You know, Japanese venomous snakes also are so attractive! and they are orienntal beauties! i would like to show you these photos! Posted by YUSU on November 15, 2006 Western Diamondback Just got him a month ago. He is an beautiful snake and plan on keeping him for a long time! Posted by tatersnake on November 12, 2006 I keep about 50 and a third have been with me for 10 years or more. Posted by cottonmouth on November 12, 2006 Boa constrictor imperator I have had Zues, My Mexican Bci since Oct 8,1991. He was my first exotic snake( I had many many garter snakes and dekay's snakes prior to him) and I have had many exotics since. He has had a few colds and lived through all my learning experiences. I have had many other snakes come in and out of my collection but even through my transition from civillian to the military 8 years ago, I was able to keep him. He is certainly not the prettiest snake ever and definately has his mood swings but he is my first and favorite exotic serpent. Posted by Toons1978 on November 9, 2006 Timber & Carolina Pygmy I captured a new born Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake in September, 1971 in Stephens County, GA. That snake lived until 1997, so it was 26 years old. I still have a Timber Rattlesnake that was given to me by a friend in the fall of 1978, so I have had him for 28 years. He was at least a 6 to 10 year old adult when I got him, so that snake is now pushing 34 to 38 years of age. Posted by Cro on November 8, 2006 Ugly I have a greenish rat snake that I caught hanging off my storm door as a hatchling back in 1983. Posted by Pug on November 5, 2006 Boomslang I have had a Boomslang and he was 9 years old when me and a companion got him. We had him another 2 1/2 years. He was Hell On Wheels when we got him and he died that way a little after we sold him. I dont know the life span of a Boomslang but that is a decent age length as far as Im concerned. Posted by DustinDraper on November 3, 2006 Boa My girlfriend's Colombian redtail has been with us 7 1/2 years and we expect to have her another 10-20 years. Posted by LarryDFishel on November 2, 2006 boa and canebrake I have a female Bci that I purchased back in 1988 and still have. Also, a female Canebrake rattlesnake purchased at Hamburg in 1994 (cb 1993) and still have. She was one of only 2 snakes in my collection to survive a paramyxo outbreak in 1999. Posted by MattHarris on November 2, 2006 I have a Colombian Rainbow Boa that I bought as a neonate in 1980. She is still going strong. Posted by Buzztail1 on November 2, 2006 I have kept several for more than 15yrs. This includes hognose, boas, pythons, several crotalids, and a few naja specie. Posted by midwestherp1 on November 2, 2006 dusky I have my original snake which is a Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake which I got as a fat baby. He is named "Sir" and I have never touched him. He is fat and sassy and BEAUTIFUL! I think he dreams of biting me because he has never mated. As far as I know Sir is a male. I address him by name whenever I do anything with him. I have never found anyone who will sell me an adult Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake so he has never had company either. Posted by rabbitsmcgates on November 2, 2006 longest single keeper I have a common boa that I traded a iguana for 13 years ago. I have since sold it twice but the first time, the guy couldn't keep it. The second time, it was paid for and I was asked to hold it for a couple weeks while the guy got everything set up for it. He was killed in a car crash before he got it. I then traded it for a Dodge van. I kept the van for about three years and then the woman brought the snake back. She was moving and could not take it with her. So, I still have it and figure if it keeps coming back, I was meant to keep it. Posted by 91C2 on November 1, 2006 atrox female lived15 years gave away she died shortly after. Posted by lep1pic1 on November 1, 2006 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!