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 is the best tool for handling hots?   Posted: Mar 19, 2008   (167 votes, 20 comments) by boomslangandrew   snake hooks   snake tongs   pro-bagger   pinning hook   snake shield   other(please specify)     (167 votes, 20 comments)
Survey Results
snake hooks 76% (127) snake tongs 19% (31) pro-bagger 1% (1) pinning hook 1% (2) snake shield 0% (0) other(please specify) 4% (6)
Survey Comments
best tool for hots A snake tong is like a symbol for herping. Donald Schultz has them. If you want to start to do serious herping, get on of these. I am going to get the M1 40 in. tongs from Midwest Tongs, a trusted brand. If you want durable and reliable tongs go Midwest. I am around smaller hots such as the western rattlesnake, the mojave rattlesnakes, so I went 40 in., but if you handle cobras, mambas, large rattlesnakes I would buy a larger brand. But a snake hook is also a reliable and tough choice. Midwest sells these also. As the post 2 above explains thay can be injured by tongs, so you better be pretty careful. When packing gear, don't think about yourself and whats safe for you, but the herp and it's safety. Now I am not saying you shouldn't protect your self, THAT IS A MUST! But make sure the snake is treated fairly. Sincerely, nightsnaker Posted by nightsnaker on December 17, 2010 Hooks 4 all> I totally agree with the notion of hooksticks being the primary tool... I have collected examples of pretty much every venomous sp. in southern africa (including both Dendroaspis sp, Cape cobra -N.nivea-, forest, snouted etc tons of adders etc)all in the wild with nothing more than a few good hook sticks of verious sizes and shapes and a few thick-clothed snakebags... Only the seriously aborial boomslang has a habit of climbing back up on stick (towards hand) but a little bit of modification on the stick used (weilding a little pen onto it, half closing the V, did the trick!! Thus I can pretty much with certainty say that hooks are tops----- Posted by VAUGHAN on July 9, 2008 Tongs are the way to go I'm a firm believer in using tongs. They give you more control in a situation where your life might be in danger. Hooks are great, but tongs just add that extra little bit of safety, especially when dealing with elapids. Posted by HMCZ on June 23, 2008 hooks i to am a firm believer in hooks wouldnt mind a nice set of tongs for a backup but hooks are definately my primary Andrew Posted by GOERescue on May 9, 2008 Best Tool I agree that tongs and shields and gloves all have a place, but a hook is and will likely remain my primary tool. Posted by Crotalusssp on May 6, 2008 the person saying stay away from the snake, is in the wrong place, lol Posted by SiUk on May 6, 2008 It depends In most captive conditions, the Hook is the best Tool to use. Now on the other hand Tongs are probably the one Tool you cant go without, if Herping the Field. For example, if you are trying to dig an ANGRY 3ft A. piscivorus or 6ft C. horridus out of an old stump near the waters edge / rock crevice on an old hill side , Hooks lose their mastic don’t you think? As mentioned above, Species and certain Individuals have a lot to do with Tool choices also. So goes the life of a Field Herper Posted by ALA_snake33 on April 26, 2008 Just for information An example of a snake shield is a piece of clear plexiglas mounted on a handle that you can use to place in front of a snake in a front-opening cage so that you can safely reach in and remove something from the cage, such as the waterbowl. Using clear plexiglas allows you to see if the snake tries to come around the shield to get at you. It works well for me but as a supplementary tool not as my primary tool. Hope this helps clarify a little bit. R/ Karl Posted by Buzztail1 on April 26, 2008 best tool i think hooks all the way Posted by boomslangandrew on April 19, 2008 other I find there needs to be no tool to control a snake a snake is a snake. Its not gonna do anything IF YOU LEAVE IT ALONE IT WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE. If you stay three feet from it you can solve all problems. It will eventually go to where it needs to be. Posted by sister on April 12, 2008 Hooks I chose the hook. That is my best friend. I can make a snake do anything I want with the hook. Using a hook is an art. I have back up hooks arranged all around my hot room. Different sized hooks for different size snakes. I always have an extra sitting around or hanging for a quick grab if needed. Tongs do not work well for me, most of my snakes are heavy and bulky so the tongs do not hold the animal without pinching it. That's not good. I use the large python hook that Midwest makes for the large Easterns due to the weight it needs to hold. I never need to pin anything so I have never owned a pinning hook. The probagger is great in the field, and can help secure a snake quickly. Gloves? Not me. Everything I have can go right through a pair of gloves with ease. Snake shield? never heard of one. Paul Posted by Adamanteus70 on April 6, 2008 Best tool It depends on the snake. The snake can used to keep your distance or hooking. Some dont like the hook. The other tool I like is the giants so if one doesnt respond to hook it better to use them so it doesnt injure the snake. I also use a flat trash can and a hook one to guide and to go into without causing injure. Posted by formosa77 on March 24, 2008 depend on what kind snake youre dealing with Posted by puffadder7 on March 23, 2008 Gloves A good sturdy pair of leather gloves doesn't hurt either(because a stray fang does) Posted by xvenomx on March 22, 2008 Best Tool Since the question only allows you one choice as "the best" I had to go with hooks. I have everything on the list except pinning hook and use them all for various things. I don't agree that a hook is the only thing you need. Tongs, pro-bagger, snake shield, etc are all useful if used properly. I am sure that anyone with any venomous experience at all will agree that of all the things listed, the hook is the most useful and the thing you need the most. R/ Karl Posted by Buzztail1 on March 21, 2008 Tong injuries? If you aren't using Gentle Giants or M1's, you are definitely risking injuring a snake. If I used standard tongs, I would absolutely put rubber tubing over the top jaw. Posted by Chris_Harper on March 20, 2008 Tongs Tongs are the safest way to deal with most species, but no one makes tongs big enough to pick up my huge Eastern diamondback. So I use hooks most of the time with him, and really with most snakes that I handle. However, I always have a set of tongs as backup for any snake handling, and when the big boys are out, I suggest a Pro Bagger as the ultimate backup. Whenever I am alone and I'm boxing up snakes for a class, I have a 6 foot set of tongs that I use for my female canebrake, because..........because there's no room for error with her. Posted by Chris_Harper on March 20, 2008 i agree with John... snake hook all the way. most of the things on the list can be usefull at times, but a responsible hot keeper needs to have an appropriate sized hook. Andrew Posted by MoccasinMan on March 20, 2008 best tool I've seen snakes get injured with improper use of tongs. Posted by soberwolf on March 20, 2008 Best Tool A good quality Snake Hook is the one and only tool you need. The other things on the list can be usefull at times, but are not essential, and can even be a detriment at times. Best Regards JohnZ Posted by Cro on March 20, 2008 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!