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 are the most common "old wives tales" about venomous snakes and bite treatment?   Posted: Jan 04, 2011   (84 votes, 8 comments) by keyz   Electricity   Pebbles/snake stones under tounge or on bite site   To cut and suck the venom out   A venomoid will never be able to give a proper envenomation   Hognoses fangs are for "popping toads"   A Black Mamba will actually chase you down and intentionally kill everyone with you.   Small venomous snakes are more dangerous than adult snakes,when bitten by one     (84 votes, 8 comments)
Survey Results
Electricity 2% (2) Pebbles/snake stones under tounge or on bite site 2% (2) To cut and suck the venom out 56% (47) A venomoid will never be able to give a proper envenomation 1% (1) Hognoses fangs are for "popping toads" 4% (3) A Black Mamba will actually chase you down and intentionally kill everyone with you. 5% (4) Small venomous snakes are more dangerous than adult snakes,when bitten by one 30% (25)
Survey Comments
Mambas The one about the mamba made me laugh. Posted by Jezka on December 30, 2011 I went with cut & suck, One that I didn't see was: "Coachwhips will wrap onto a near by plant and whip you chasing and whipping until you die" LOL Posted by Sithis on August 3, 2011 Babies Kill In minutes It is awfully hard to just pick one, but the ones I hear most often are Cut & Suck with most of them telling me that Baby Snakes will kill you faster than adults. In some discussions, I have heard people say that if a Baby Cottonmouth bites you will die in only a few minutes. Myth has always been an interesting thing to me anyway. Be Safe Y’all, Happy Herping : Wally Posted by ALA_snake33 on January 13, 2011 small bites some herps claim adults can control amounts of venom released to fit the situation.small ones have control issues and just let it fly.sounds like my 8mo.old grandsons butt! Posted by billboa on January 7, 2011 Yep, the free handling gift is a scary one. Guess they never kept purps. Posted by Crotalusssp on January 3, 2011 My favorite myth is "I can free-handle my venomous snake because I have a special gift"! >:) Posted by AquaHerp on December 31, 2010 Tounge? Do you mean tongue? Posted by Mofugly on December 30, 2010 In some species, studies show that venom of young snakes is indeed more toxic than that of adults. Posted by AquaHerp on December 29, 2010 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!