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!
Substrates: What type of substrate do you keep your snakes on?   Posted: Nov 16, 2011   (175 votes, 21 comments) by Russ-T   Newspaper   Pine Bark   Aspen Shavings   Peat Moss   Cypress Mulch   Cedar Shavings   Pine Shavings     (175 votes, 21 comments)
Survey Results
Newspaper 31% (54) Pine Bark 4% (7) Aspen Shavings 30% (53) Peat Moss 5% (8) Cypress Mulch 27% (47) Cedar Shavings 2% (3) Pine Shavings 2% (3)
Survey Comments
Cypress IMO is easy to keep clean and is easy to manage when it comes down to humidity. Its cheap and abundant. Posted by Hypodermix on November 20, 2012 Survey Anybody think we'll ever see a new survey??? Posted by varivenom on August 24, 2012 Cypress Love using the cypress for our natural displays! We have just under 30 aquariums set up naturally and all but the cerastes are on cypress. Never had an issue with illness or insects or odors. Cleans very easily and looks great. Most tanks are varied according to species - for example, the coral snake is on sand, soil, and cypress. I use pinestraw, sticks, pinecones, etc from outside as well. The tubs all have aspen to keep the humidity down. Cedar and pine can be dangerous and I wouldn't recommend it. Posted by Existential on July 1, 2012 other I like using outdoor carpeting, big colorful rocks, nice looking fake plants and cork bark - they are all pretty much substrates in the end. Posted by venomoidLoverBP on June 23, 2012 Apparently this has become an annual survey. Posted by toddg on April 29, 2012 I've always used aspen bedding and I havent had any issues with it. Posted by thekarenator on March 28, 2012 The eco earth coconut bark seems to work fine too. thats what ive been using Posted by BigJT on March 8, 2012 no joke Karl... haha Posted by puffadder7 on February 27, 2012 Some very bizarre random comments in here! Posted by Buzztail1 on February 24, 2012 Is still water good for snakes? Posted by Jandre on February 21, 2012 You should NEVER use Cedar or Pine shavings. It's noxious to snakes. Posted by Chris_Harper on December 31, 2011 Large constrictors can kill you faster than any venomous snake. Posted by Jezka on December 30, 2011 gaboon viper vs. bushmaster which is better a gaboon or abushmaster ive got the money 4 both but idk which one? Posted by gaboon4life on December 24, 2011 again who uses cedar shavings and pine shavings? happy holidayzzzzzz Posted by gaboon4life on December 18, 2011 Why would anyone use WOOD shavings if they knew the risk, especially when feeding. I use brown/dark cardboard/paper (not containing glue) sometimes as it doesn't look all that bad, free from mites and pest, cheap(free) and they seem to do well with it. Posted by shadowolffff on December 17, 2011 Substrate Have been using cypress mulch for almost twenty years without any issues. Only exceptions are sidewinders and cerastes setups. Happy Holidays Everybody! Posted by varivenom on December 16, 2011 whos using cedar shavings? Posted by constrictorfoxi on December 5, 2011 i dont like news paper it just dos not look right and i like to make the cage look as real as possible Posted by kellena on November 30, 2011 i usually use news paper for all my herps but i do really like aspen bedding which i probably will be putting some of my newer herps on when i get them Posted by dylank on November 23, 2011 I use Reptibark which is made from Fir tree bark. Comparatively it can be considered expensive, but I do not have a large collection. In smaller enclosures I use paper towels. Posted by Crotalusssp on November 22, 2011 Substrate I use a mixture of several things. A little pine bark, Peat moss, unfertilized potting soil, a little sand, maybe some Cypress mixed in, and a few dried oak leaves scattered around. Maybe some sphagnum moss, It varies some with each cage and species. For example, I make sure my Coral Snake has a deep substrate that stays kinda "loose" and doesn't get packed down so it can burrow. With my EDB's I may go a little heavier with the sand, with my Carolina Pygmys I use a lot of pine straw, etc. But I NEVER use Cedar Shavings. Take care, Marty Posted by agkistrodude on November 17, 2011 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!