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!
Thanks for voting! Your vote has been included in the results below. Wild Caught or Captive Bred? How would you describe your collection?   Posted: Aug 25, 2001   (451 votes, 16 comments) by Charper
Survey Results
All are wild caught 8% (34) Mostly wild caught, some captive bred. 7% (30) Mostly captive bred, some wild caught. 30% (136) Half wild caught, half captive bred. 9% (42) All are captive bred. 35% (157) I don't own any snakes. 12% (52)
Survey Comments
Captive Bred or Wild Caught I prefer captive bred over wild caught simply because of the psychological impact on a wild caught specimen. A captive bred doesnt miss what it never had. This is just my opinion. If you have wild caught specimens that eat and are active and seem content then right on! I have just seen a lot of wild caught animals who seem un-happy and motivated only to test the limits of its enclosure. What kind of life is that? I say let birds be birds, let them fly. Posted by Bellerophon on October 1, 2001 Don't Tread/ Don't Destroy All wildlife has its place. If the captive shows its nature, don't be surprised. Posted by walkmaster on September 21, 2001 Wild Caught It seems those of you who buy snakes instead of capturing your own would impact wild populations due to the commercial value.I don't overcollect but I do collect.It makes you appreciate them a little more if it takes a year or more to locate a certain species.Captive is fine too.But who can argue which is best?Not me.... Posted by txcerb on September 20, 2001 Wild Caught My entire collection is wild caught. But that is because my collection consists of one snake. Unfortunately, I'm not totally sure of the species. I do know that it is non-venomous though. Posted by Trigger on September 20, 2001 wild or captive bred Paradox! Every captive bred population starts with wild caught animals. Posted by CROTALUSLEPIDUS on September 15, 2001 wild or captive bred Paradox! Every captive bred population starts with wild caught animals. Posted by CROTALUSLEPIDUS on September 14, 2001 Get off this silly 'CB Only' kick 1. Personal(Non-Commercial) harvesting of wild animals has never threatened wild populations. 2. Most Commercial harvesting has had no serious impact on reptile populations except where the populations were under additional pressure from habitat destruction or if the species is of a type where the entire population occupies a limited area and the animal is particularly easy to find and if the species is in fact desirable(unusual for most hot herps). 3. These statements can be supported by studies done by by the Fl. Game and fish Commission. 4. If someone wants to contest this post, please do, but please provide data to corroborate your claims. your title, position at a museum or university is not evidence. Show actual data or a link to actual data. Posted by scottquint on September 13, 2001 WILD I collect venomous reptiles, over half of my collection is wild caught, this is due to a rather low amout of captive breding of venomous species. i am curently trying to bred 9 species of vipers to not only learn, but help the mis conception that these creatures are evil and should be banned in the usa, we need to keep our herps healthy and caged right,and promote captive breding so that in the future maybe we wont need wild caught. but for now most of the traid is wild caught, wether your local pet stor tells you or not. Posted by Anonymous on September 12, 2001 I just wanna say that nobody should keep a wild snake for a number of reasons. 1. They could carry disease. 2. They could have parasites Posted by viperchick2525 on September 6, 2001 No contest I am from Cape Town South Africa and have been working with black mambas for 22 years. I have sustained three bites by black mambas, all three with exactly the same syptoms. Two bites were sustained on the index finger after milking. In my experience a slight burning sensation at the effected area with a rapid onset of paralysis ie: within fifteen minutes. Within five minutes chest pains, nausea, trembling, convultions, vomitting and slight hallucinations sets in. Within 15-40 minutes serious paralysis sets in, the heart rate plummets and blood pressure drops.(NO UNCONSCIOUSNESS EXPERIENCED AT ALL, YOU ARE AWAKE BUT YOU CANT BREATHE ) If you aren't in a hospital under expert medical attention right now, tell friends and family that you love them and you are going to miss them. I have also sustained one bite from Oxyuranus Scuttelatus which had the exact same symptoms as a Cape Cobra(Naja Nivea). So I am being honest rather the Taipan than the damn Mamba Posted by Shaun on September 1, 2001 Our wonderfull herps This is one of the most effective sites I have ever seen. I am from Cape Town South Africa and here wild caught animals are not allowed under provincial legislation. Other than that I'm not really a great fan of cathing something out of the wild and slipping it into a cage, for personal satisfaction. Further everyone reading this please look after your animals with 100% dedication, you have to live herpetoculture, breath herpetoculture and even sleep it, otherwise it's not for you. Watch out for when that hot herp burns you for the first time you are going to change your point of view. Applause for SHHS, well done guys. Shaun Aylward lover Herps, women, and whatever stings Posted by Shaun on September 1, 2001 my collection ive just started my collection fairly recently, right now i have a 4 1/2 ft. colombian boa and a 4 ft ball python. i also have an ornate box turtle. i dont have much right now but since i'm only 15 ive got plenty of time! Posted by lancehead on September 1, 2001 I lied Forgot about a few wild coughts. They were little ABUNDANT garter's about 4904279 of them of witch some I kept for a bit. 2 captives. Posted by S4L on August 28, 2001 wild caught I voted all being wild caught because due to lack of space and money I currently only have one snake, which happens to be wild caught. Just dont want people thinking that I would condone removing large amounts of animals, snakes or otherwise, from their natural enviroment. Posted by Mojo on August 28, 2001 loving snakes This is the best herp site other than kingsnake.com but this is one of the best sites ive ever seen Posted by Anonymous on August 28, 2001 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!