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!
Why do you keep venomous reptiles?   Posted: Aug 03, 2006   (178 votes, 12 comments) by Buzztail1   The rush (of adrenaline).   To help in educating the public.   Because it is cool.   They fascinate me.   To study them for scientific ends.   To breed them for money.   I don't keep venomous reptiles.     (178 votes, 12 comments)
Survey Results
The rush (of adrenaline). 1% (1) To help in educating the public. 17% (30) Because it is cool. 2% (4) They fascinate me. 62% (111) To study them for scientific ends. 7% (12) To breed them for money. 1% (2) I don't keep venomous reptiles. 10% (18)
Survey Comments
Vipers Dear venomousreptiles.org I think reptiles funs usually go to this way for their pets....turtleEEuml;tortoiseEEuml;lizardsEEuml;colubrids snakeEEuml;boas/pythons Well, though there will be many cases, snakes is usually at the last. And finally you will meet venomous snakes as your supreme goal. It is my case.They fascinate me. They are so cool, dangerously sexy and beautiful creatures. Keeping venomous snakes is illegal and I think it is fine. I think keeping venomous snakes would better illegal and one of secret hobby. It is fantastic!! Because in this world, secret things are going to decrease. You should keep some secret dangerous things like the venomous friends! Posted by YUSU on November 20, 2006 venomous snakes I did just as others and put fascination as the main reason for my keeping of venomous snakes. I have liked snakes ever since i was a kid. They have always struct some sort of interest in my mind. Insects and the like did the same when i was a kid but now i can't stand insects....they creep me out. (weird i know) Snakes just have a way about them that makes them very intriguing. Simply put......Once your hooked, your hooked. Posted by SnakeYa on August 26, 2006 I had to go with "they fascinate me" even though it's not exactly the right way to describe it. All animals fascinate me and always did. But I'm in love with snakes venomous or not. The fact that they are venomous have nothing to do with the reason I keep them. It just means different approach. I agree they have a beautiful colors but a lot of non-venomous does too. I don't quite differentiate between venomous or non. Simply some snakes are irresistible hot or not :) Posted by petra on August 18, 2006 solenoglyphous snakes Regards to all, I support poisonous serpents because really I sit(feel) a feeling towards them, from always I have felt it, think that they are quite in my life and indeed it is something very special. Forgive my English, I am of venezuela. Regards. Posted by charpak on August 13, 2006 I have been bringing home snakes since about 1963. In 1976, I brought home my first venomous snakes. I have been keeping snakes my whole life and didn't want to not keep some because they were venomous. So, I educated myself on the safe ways to do that and since I was already trying to educate the public that snakes (in general) had a required niche in our ecology, it was not any great leap to start educating the public about the necessity of venomous snakes. I guess the bottom line for me is that snakes fascinate me. But, I have been educating the public through presentations and displays and articles since the mid 70s and will probably do so for the rest of my life. Karl H. Betz Posted by Buzztail1 on August 11, 2006 They fascinate me. In my opinion Venomous Snakes are some of the most beautiful animals in the world. They are colorful and can put on one heck of a display. There isn't many animals that look as good as a huge King Cobra(Ophiophagus hannah) standing up as tall as you are or the impressive colors on a Rhino Viper (Bitis nasicornis) and you can't forget the pattern of a Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)SSR Posted by southernstylereptiles on August 5, 2006 3 correct answers for me Hi guys, I voted "they fascinate me" but I also keep them for scientific and educational purposes. Of course, if they wouldn`t fascinate me I wouldn`t keep them at all :) Take care guys! Alex Posted by Snake18 on August 4, 2006 i don't keep venomous reptiles but i do keep some snakes because they facinate me and because they facinate me, i share my love by educating the public which gives me a rush so what answer should i choose?! all of the above for me best regards chris hartmann Posted by thenovice on August 4, 2006 Most of the above? I wish the answers weren't mutually exclusive. :) I said, because they fascinate me because that's why I got started, but I now do educational shows when I can, try to contribute whatever tidbits I can to our scientific knowldge and I'm sure I'll breed a few for money and/or to reduce imports along the way... Posted by LarryDFishel on August 4, 2006 I voted for,"To help in educating the public. " I use to do lectures /presentaions using only nonvenomous species and for the hots I would use photos via powerpoint,slides,or overhead projectors. However, I found people would still mistaken a corn for a copperhead or a northern banded watersnake for a cottonmouth. When I began using live hots in my lectures/presentations the misindentifications became nonexistent.There is something to be said about the power of observation when incorporated with live specimens. On a side note. Although,I find venomous species fascinating the real lure for me is the array of vibrant colors and awesome patterns that the hot species offer. They are simply beyond compare when held against the nonvenomous species. ~Todd S.H.H.S. Survey Manager Posted by RepFan on August 3, 2006 venomous snakes try checking out local zoos or breeders, if you are really into them try joining a herp society as for going to egypt, that's up to your parents, and my money's on them saying no. plus, you would not be able to simply go and watch a cobra, you would need a mentor who is certified in handling them (or at least has experience), room and board, food, and do you plan to see one wild or just watch the snake charmers? lots of luck- best regards chris hartmann Posted by thenovice on August 3, 2006 venomous snakes dear venomousreptiles.org i jado93 are very interested in venomous snakes however i am having a little trouble finding a place where i can see them i live in england, leicester, new parks but i have always wanted to visit egypt to see the egyptain cobra. but i am only 12 years old so can not go with out my family who do not want to go please help jado93 Posted by jado93 on August 3, 2006 To post a comment, you must be logged in. 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