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!
I know that there are many reasons to not keep a hot snake but what are some positive reasons for keeping them   Posted: May 02, 2007   (107 votes, 5 comments) by snakeguy101   they are more beautiful than nonvenomous snakes   they are a great tool to educate the public   there is no good reason, they should not be kept   they are cool and make me look cool   it is the best way to enhance your knowledge of the snakes     (107 votes, 5 comments)
Survey Results
they are more beautiful than nonvenomous snakes 16% (17) they are a great tool to educate the public 33% (35) there is no good reason, they should not be kept 7% (7) they are cool and make me look cool 2% (2) it is the best way to enhance your knowledge of the snakes 43% (46)
Survey Comments
Education Education is our most powerful, and ultimately most effective tool to get people to stop killing snakes on sight. Isn't that why we don't harm snakes, that we ourselves are educated and informed about them? At every program I present, I get several people who express remorse about their past attitudes towards these fascinating animals and assure me that in the future they will let the snakes go their way unharmed. There is absolutely no substitute for seeing snakes live and up close, either in exhibits or at lectures. The native snakes that I use are all "borrowed," having been rescued from some life-threatening situation or another. In return for saving their lives, I impose upon them to do a bit of PR work for the rest of their kind, and release them when I rescue another specimen to take their place. I do not remove snakes from safe, wild habitats. While these "ambassadors" are in my care, they are spoiled rotten and receive the best of everything, including veterinary care, and are released fat, deparasitized and healthy. In terms of changing attitudes towards rattlesnakes, I have found it useful to appeal to peoples' sense of patriotism, pointing out that the rattlesnake was featured on one of this country's first flags ("Don't Tread on Me")and should be protected as a national symbol. Of all snakes, they are the most identifiably and uniquely "American." Anyone keeping venomous snakes should have a serious educational interest and goal in doing so, whether it's about better-educating themselves or others or both. There is a great deal that is not known about these mysterious creatures, and much information that cannot be found in any book. Ultimately the only way to really learn many things about snakes is to keep and observe them close at hand. Careful records should always be kept and the keeping of these dangerous animals for shock effect or "coolness" should be roundly discouraged at every turn. It is not cool to get bitten by a venomous snake! Posted by FSB on June 10, 2007 "Education" I think that if you keep Venomous Snakes, you should at least try to use them to Educate the Public (at least those that are close to you). I consider this our “First And Foremost Duty”. Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally Posted by ALA_snake33 on May 13, 2007 they kill their prey using chemistry They are much more interesting than nonvenomous because they kill their prey using chemistry instead of brute force. Posted by silver_ingots on May 5, 2007 They are equally as beautiful as nonvenomous snakes and therefore equally as desireable to keep. I gave my first presentation on the ecological necessity of venomous snakes in 1976 and have been visiting classrooms and scout groups ever since. Parents have introduced me to their school-aged children as "the man who came to my school to teach me about snakes". Teaching anyone, at any age, that venomous snakes do not need to be killed on sight is an awesome accomplishment. That is the number one reason I keep venomous snakes. Karl H. Betz Posted by Buzztail1 on May 2, 2007 Both #1 & #2... I originally got interested in venomous because of their more vibrant colors and patterns. (e.g. Rhinos and gaboons ) When I began giving presentations I realized that though I showed many photos of native venomous species; the audience would still misidentify some of the nonvenomous for venomous. After adding live and preserved venomous specimens to my presentations that was no longer the case. It also showed the patrons of my presentations that a venomous snake was not out to stalk and kill them. Using these specimens helped to undo much of the stigmas associated with venomous species. ~ Todd Posted by RepFan on May 2, 2007 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!