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!
Are you properly prepared to take a bite from whatever you have in your collection?   Posted: Oct 29, 2007   (87 votes, 8 comments) by Buzztail1   Yes, I have my own antivenom and protocols and have contacted my local ER in preparation.   I only keep indigenous venomous so I don't need antivenom but I have protocols and have contected my local ER in preparation.   I have protocols and the number to Venom 1 handy just in case.   I don't have to worry about it because I am always careful.   I have been meaning to get around to that stuff but have just been too busy to mess with it.   Why do you need all that foo farah? You just go to the doctor and they give an antivenom shot. After all, they ARE doctors!   No, it just doesn't seem necessary to me.     (87 votes, 8 comments)
Survey Results
Yes, I have my own antivenom and protocols and have contacted my local ER in preparation. 17% (15) I only keep indigenous venomous so I don't need antivenom but I have protocols and have contected my local ER in preparation. 24% (21) I have protocols and the number to Venom 1 handy just in case. 48% (42) I don't have to worry about it because I am always careful. 1% (1) I have been meaning to get around to that stuff but have just been too busy to mess with it. 2% (2) Why do you need all that foo farah? You just go to the doctor and they give an antivenom shot. After all, they ARE doctors! 0% (0) No, it just doesn't seem necessary to me. 7% (6)
Survey Comments
its quite worrying that some people have said it doesnt seem nessesary to them. Posted by SiUk on February 23, 2008 Foo Farah Is Foo Farah the same as Fuddle Duddle? LOL G Posted by Coralsnayk on November 18, 2007 Foo farah You can google it as one word "foofarah" which means roughly the same as hullabaloo did in the 60's and "ado" in the 1800's. Basically a bunch of "fanfare" over nothing. It is pronounced foo-fa-rah with the accent on the first syllable. As for the question - I provided a personally produced color pamphlet to my local fire and rescue and emergency room personnel with color photographs of locally indigenous venomous snakes. Now I am sure that they will understand if I ever have to come and tell them what I have been bitten by. I also have protocols for every venomous animal that I keep and Venom 1's number with the protocols. Now it looks like I will be chatting with Andrew about the availability of various other antivenom choices - I hear the Bioclon N/A Viper antivenom is quite good. The things that I have been hearing about CroFab, quite frankly, have been a little scary. Karl Posted by Buzztail1 on October 31, 2007 foo farah ??? Have I learned a new word ? Even Google does not seem to know what it is. Perhaps it is because I do not watch TV or read newspapers that I do not know what this word, or words, mean ? I do know that the word "Ginormus" means, and like how it has caught on. And I know what the word "Triction" means, as I invented it years ago, and it is the combination of "traction" and "friction." However, I would like someone to tell me just what a "foo farah" is ! Best Regards JohnZ Posted by Cro on October 30, 2007 Southern States AV Cooperative Andrew, I like the sound of that name also ! Looking forward to talking with you more about this at the upcoming show. Best Regards JohnZ Posted by Cro on October 30, 2007 Thanks. Southern States AV Cooperative... I like the sounds of that John. I think part of the problem in the past was trying to set up the structure and then trying to aquire the AV. We already have the AV, but need at least 20-40 people to participate. We have the AV for us either way. Any well thought out ideas are welcome. I think we mainly need to get the word out. I hope I have established our credibility and integrity. We have the ability and resources to carry this out. What we need is interest from responsible keepers. Andrew Posted by MoccasinMan on October 30, 2007 NCARK Antivenom Cooperative Andrew, if NCARK is able to set up a Southern State Antivenom Cooperative, that would be a very good thing. I do not see any information on it on the NCARK web site, however hopefully, it will be available there in the future for people to look over and sign up. Many others who have attemped setting up Antivenom Cooperatives have failed, however, I wish you the best of luck in changing that and making a working cooperative. Best Regards JohnZ Posted by Cro on October 29, 2007 There is another option here: Yes I have access to antivenom through the NCARK Antivenom Cooperative. I also have protocols and have contacted my local ER in preparation. We have access to most available AV. We have a central storage location that can provide timely transportation to North GA, SC, NC & VA more quickly than Venom 1. Anyone interested in joining the NCARK Antivenom Cooperative contact Andrew at andrew@ncark.org. NCARK has made a legislative proposal in NC that will require keepers to have proof that they have access to AV. NCARK AV Coop will make that quick and easy while providing a real service and much needed safety net to our members. Andrew Wyatt President/NCARK www.NCARK.org andrew@ncark.org Posted by MoccasinMan on October 29, 2007 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!