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 group of snakes does your collection PRIMARILY consist of?   Posted: Dec 01, 2006   (161 votes, 11 comments) by Nightflight99   Pitvipers   True Vipers   Elapids   Colubrids   Boas & Pythons   Helodermatids   None of the above (please elaborate)     (161 votes, 11 comments)
Survey Results
Pitvipers 42% (67) True Vipers 10% (16) Elapids 12% (20) Colubrids 12% (20) Boas & Pythons 17% (27) Helodermatids 2% (4) None of the above (please elaborate) 4% (7)
Survey Comments
Cobras I mainly keep cobras: 1.1 Naja Kouathia, 1.0 Naja Nivea, 1.0 Naja Pallida, 1.0 Naja Haje, 0.1 Naja Kouathia Suphanensis, 1.0 Naja Naja, 1.0 Naja Siamensis, 1.0 Bitis Rhinoceros, 1.0 Bothrops Venezualensis, 1.0 Crotalus Adamanteus and then a couple non-vens. Cobras always have been the most interesting and captivating snakes in my opinion, a lot of personality and just impressive in my opinion. Posted by SnakeYa on January 6, 2007 True vipers I keep only True Vipers.. Vipera a. ammodytes Vipera orlovi Gloydius halys caraganus Posted by MiqeMorbid on December 12, 2006 Having withdraws. I have a wife who's a snake nazi. She's under the impression that the only good one's a dead one. I'm slowly working on wearing her down. I do have geckos and a beardie so that's better than nothing. Rattlesnakes are my favorite Hot! Posted by tinman1 on December 10, 2006 Native Georgia Snakes I now keep the venomous snakes native to Georgia. Many of them are used in educational talks to schools, scouts, and other organizations. Many years ago, before the restrictive laws against reptile keeping were passed in Georgia, I kept a personal collection of 150 to 200 venomous reptiles. Best Regards JohnZ Posted by Cro on December 9, 2006 We are heavy on the pits with a strong emphasis on rock rattlesnake local specimens. However, as we move into the new herpetarium we will make a shift to even out with a mix of elapids and others as well. Doug Hotle General Curator Abilene ZOOlogical Gardens Abilene, Texas Posted by AquaHerp on December 9, 2006 Boas I voted boas because they are what I have had my whole life ever since I was like 3. I love 'em. Posted by bb on December 9, 2006 Elapids... I currently have more cobras and mambas.....however, I also have a few rattlesnakes and vipers as well. Posted by Crotalus75 on December 8, 2006 PITVIPERS PICS OR LEPS MOSTLY THO IV HAD MOST OFFERED ON THE MARKET TODAY Posted by lep1pic1 on December 5, 2006 i have been forbidden to keep snakes in the house, i do however keep turtles, frogs, and lizards Posted by snakeguy101 on December 3, 2006 Pit Vipers “Mostly” As of now, I don’t have any babies “I Hate To Say” but, back when I still kept it was mostly Pit Vipers. I have had a Wide Range of Species from the New World. Just to give some idea, here are some of the Species I have Kept. Before AL passed its Ban on Keeping Non-Native Venomous Species: A. b. bilineatus B. asper B. atrox After AL passed its “STUPID” Laws: A. p. piscivorous A. p. leucostoma A. p. conanti A. c. contortrix A. c. mokasen C. horridus C. adamanteus S. m. miliarius I have also had a wide variety of Boas & Pythons, and also Colubrids. Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally Posted by ALA_snake33 on December 3, 2006 making a shift I voted pitvipers, but have recently been acquiring more and more true vipers. Anyone with a wealth of knowledge about Vipera (except ammodytes) montivipera, or macrovipera feel free to let me know. I am really interested in natural habitats of certain species as well as interesting observations or helpful hints. Thanks Posted by SoggyBottomSerpents on December 2, 2006 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!