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!
how many of you agree with snake laws   Posted: Jul 22, 2008   (79 votes, 10 comments) by milksnakegreg   theyre are good   they suck   indifferent   need less   need more   they should never happen     (79 votes, 10 comments)
Survey Results
theyre are good 8% (6) they suck 25% (20) indifferent 4% (3) need less 44% (35) need more 4% (3) they should never happen 15% (12)
Survey Comments
Snake law question I certainly share a disdain for snake ownership laws. Which seem to just drive enthusiast underground. The question however does not specify what kind of snake laws. I do agree which SOME snake laws regarding conservation and habitat destruction. NO - I dont work for PETA and could care less about saving purple algae but without some conservation laws we would have no bald eagles (and the list could go on). Funny thing......just about every species saved from extinction was largely due to "captive" breeding programs. :) Posted by Ptk on August 20, 2008 i hope they choke its soo hard to get snakes in my state!! you have to work for a zoo or university! it sucks, the only good thing is that its only a misdemenor to keep :) Posted by alphadogg on August 13, 2008 Snake Laws...... The subject of "Snake Laws" is really no different than "Gun Laws", with ether, you can pass all the laws you want, but you won't stop the "Criminal", He's a (CRIMINAL), he don't care about what laws are passed. I believe that we have more than enough laws already on the books to protect society, when you start passing new legislation, then you infringe on the rights and freedoms of a "FREE" people, "ONLY" honest people suffer with "New" laws. Don't punish the masses because of the few, most Hot keepers are good, responsible people. Like with any thing else, be responsible, and be SAFE, just like with the guns, there's people that are working every day to take them from us, same with the Hot's, and exotics. Be careful and don't give them any fuel for the fire's they want to start, it will effect us "ALL"...... Be Safe Keith Posted by pdk9Roper on August 11, 2008 OK, maybe I was having too much fun in my comments below. Let me put it like this; Laws won't stop the lawbreaker. In TN it's illegal to indiscriminately kill wild critters, snakes included. Yet you see police and others showing off their killed snakes in local papers fairly commonly [common?]. When the law enforcers themselves openly break societies rules, what good are the rules? In certain rare situations I would still kill a snake, law or not, cause I would come before the snake, according to my innate sense of self preservation, ONLY IF NEED TRULY BE.[Something I guard against..] Yet if there were no laws in TN prohibiting the keeping of hots without exhaustive licensing then I would definitely have a couple EDB's and Cotton's. Just so I'd know there are at least two breeding pairs left no matter what man does to their habitat. Laws come and go, but ones code to live by is a truly important thing. Posted by Voided37 on August 2, 2008 Stephen Daryl Melton says, and takes full credit for doing so; They should NEVER happen. Because those making the rules are always the first to break the rules. AND; RULERS SUCK! Are we having fun yet? LOL Posted by Voided37 on August 2, 2008 Snake Laws Many of our "Snake Laws" are based on irrational fears of people who fear a garter snake as much as they fear a cobra. In fact, they sometimes report seeing a "deadly snake" when they have seen a garter snake. We need to challenge these laws, both pending and already in place. As a practical matter, we read many stories about medium-sized pythons escaping and scaring the neighbors. But how often does someone's "pet" rattlesnake get loose? Venomous keepers are among the most responsible of all who keep "exotics" and should not be penalized for the mindless fears of their neighbors. After all, your neighbor's drunk kid is more likely to kill you with his car than I am to kill you with my escaped "pet" cobra. Posted by Scott7590 on July 28, 2008 Venomous Laws Every state should have a permitting system(Like Florida) where they resonably make sure you know what your doing and the permit is attainable. Not like many other states where the Government babysits its inhabitants and alledgedly protects them from themselves by prohibition, or by having permits that are near impossible to attain. Posted by HorridumAngeli on July 28, 2008 I agree with the first two fellas, I believe in certain regulation but prohibition is not the answer. Jared Posted by jared on July 23, 2008 I do believe in a certain amount of regulation and proof of personal responsibility for our actions but I don't agree with exotic animal banns or laws that only incriminate legitimate responsible keepers. Zach Zachary Randolph Orr Randolph Rattlesnake Refuge & Research Center Posted by PIGMAN on July 23, 2008 A increase in a goverment state is not a good thing.self govern. Posted by pictigaster1 on July 22, 2008 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!