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VenomousReptiles.org Survey
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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
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Should hobbyists ever free handle venomous reptiles with their hands?
Posted: Mar 02, 2015
(282 votes, 11 comments)
by Crotalidae
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Survey Results
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Yes, as long as they have experience with the species in question.
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20% (57)
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Yes, but only with thick leather gloves or similar protection.
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2% (6)
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Yes, but only if absolutely necessary, and with the head tubed or restrained.
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49% (138)
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No, not at all.
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29% (81)
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Survey Comments
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Long-term effects due to my copperhead bite
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I would say no handling unless you have
experience. I myself have no experience but I
was out in my yard cleaning one day I live in
a rural area. And I got bit copperhead didn't
realize it at the time that it was a
copperhead. I thought it was a thorn bush.
And it hurt like you know what. Celebrating a
couple days till the pain was so is
cruciating that I was unable to stand it
anymore went to the hospital and it was told
it was a copperhead where went to the
hospital and it was told it was a snake bite
that was unknown at a time. Well turns out it
was a baby copperhead from a family member
that founded in the spot where I was at a
couple days later. Long story short I spent
15 days in the hospital the pain was so
excruciating that I was on fentanyl
unbelievable but to this day after 2 years
where I was bitten on my left thumb my whole
left arm is almost unusable now it's got a
nasty scar deformity on my thumb I can't bend
it and I have no use of it. They say usually
people don't have long-term effects but I'm
one of the rare ones. It pretty much has
deteriorated my muscles in my left arm and it
continues to get worse so I don't think
people should mess with snakes period unless
they know or a expert or you can end up like
me
Posted by
Rusty2271
on April 30, 2024
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I agree with Feehandling comment.
Posted by
danielcraig69
on March 22, 2024
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Survey should you handle poisonous snakes
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I think yes if you want to that’s your business. I like to
because it’s fun but all ive got to catch are copperheads,
coral snakes but so rare to find, those two are my favorites,
and rattlesnakes and cotton mouths… the last being my
least favorite and I’ve only ever caught one. But they’re
scary fast with a snap down strong bite and that was the
first poisonous one I ever caught. Anyways, probably not
smart to grab a cobra or mamba, mambas are pretty scary
to watch, I don’t think I’d be quick enough. But to each their
own just realize it’s all fun and games till you get bit by a
serious snake like a cobra. Coral snakes are pretty bad too
as far as toxins I’ve read, and they really have a strong pit
Bull jaw lock but their fangs are so tiny and they, unlike
copperheads, are really susceptible to the cold so that’s
easy enough, I would just get him cold first before I’d catch
him to milk him. I want to eventually build up to cobras, I
love them. And they don’t really seem all that aggressive
watching them. Anyway, that’s what I think. We have the
god given unalienable right to pursue happiness in any way
we feel we want to as long as we don’t affect the rights on
any other people so…. I do.
Posted by
KonstantTution
on November 25, 2022
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Survey should you handle poisonous snakes
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I think yes if you want to that’s your business. I like to
because it’s fun but all ive got to catch are copperheads,
coral snakes but so rare to find, those two are my favorites,
and rattlesnakes and cotton mouths… the last being my
least favorite and I’ve only ever caught one. But they’re
scary fast with a snap down strong bite and that was the
first poisonous one I ever caught. Anyways, probably not
smart to grab a cobra or mamba, mambas are pretty scary
to watch, I don’t think I’d be quick enough. But to each their
own just realize it’s all fun and games till you get bit by a
serious snake like a cobra. Coral snakes are pretty bad too
as far as toxins I’ve read, and they really have a strong pit
Bull jaw lock but their fangs are so tiny and they, unlike
copperheads, are really susceptible to the cold so that’s
easy enough, I would just get him cold first before I’d catch
him to milk him. I want to eventually build up to cobras, I
love them. And they don’t really seem all that aggressive
watching them. Anyway, that’s what I think. We have the
god given unalienable right to pursue happiness in any way
we feel we want to as long as we don’t affect the rights on
any other people so…. I do.
Posted by
KonstantTution
on November 24, 2022
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should you handle venomous snakes
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Unless and only, IF ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, hots do not care if
they're CBB, some people tend to
relax as time goes by, but
remember, the most dangerous snake
is the one that just bit you and
the most deadly is the one that
could kill you. Never put your
guard down or change patterns. I've
been handing hots for forty years,
but every time, I am on pins and
needles. I have friends who are
show offs and careless and I have
to respect them, they've gotten
bitten and feel invincible, but
it's just a matter of time.
Posted by
DevilDog666k9
on August 24, 2016
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should you handle venomous snakes
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Unless and only, IF ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, hots do not care if
they're CBB, some people tend to
relax as time goes by, but
remember, the most dangerous snake
is the one that just bit you and
the most deadly is the one that
could kill you. Never put your
guard down or change patterns. I've
been handing hots for forty years,
but every time, I am on pins and
needles. I have friends who are
show offs and careless and I have
to respect them, they've gotten
bitten and feel invincible, but
it's just a matter of time.
Posted by
DevilDog666k9
on August 24, 2016
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cb doesn't matter
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I love that people think cb means it safer to
free handle. Common sense tells us a hot is a
hot no matter where it's birth place. And NO
exotic likes being handled. If anything they
tolerate it. But all that can be over in 1
millisecond and you probably aren't fast
enough to stop the inevitable. Just my 2
cents.
Posted by
varivenom
on December 16, 2015
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No
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No snake is worth the risk of getting bit.
Posted by
SilentFate
on September 30, 2015
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Freehandle
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I Freehandle my horridus and contortrix. Mine are cbb
animals and calm unless it's Sunday (feeding day).
Unlucky for me I live in Kentucky and I have no chance
in expanding my collection of venomous species
(Thanks Jim Harrison) but I deal with what I have. I do
find it very ridiculous that Kentucky residence cannot
keep any rear fanged species besides hognosed
(Heterodon) though.
Posted by
BlackPhaseTim
on August 22, 2015
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freehandling
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i do free handle...a lot, mostly cobras,
but i have free handled an inland taipan
as well, and a black mamba, but it was a
cbb. wild I wouldn't dare. I'm often ask
why I do it, I don't know pry for the same
reason we all have venomous snakes. the
rush, the adrenaline and passion for the
hobby. I know its dangerous, handling
venomous snakes in general is dangerous. I
do not do it to give a bad rep to the
hobby nor do I encourage anyone else to
try it. At the same time though i'm not
gonna tell you not to or that you can't.
i've been hit twice, once by a snake that
wasn't even mine. i was changing a tire
and got hit on the toe while sliding my
foot under the vehicle to put the tire on
the bolts. Second one was my snake,
luckley a dry bite by my albino monocled.
Totally my fault but i was not free
handling her, i was feeding.
Posted by
GeorgeM
on August 19, 2015
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Freehandling
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The 3rd option,"Yes, but only if absolutely necessary, and with the head tubed or restrained." Wouldn't be freehandling.
Posted by
agkistrodude
on March 7, 2015
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