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. Snake Food: How much do you spend on rodents per year?   Posted: Aug 13, 2002   (323 votes, 7 comments) by Charper
Survey Results
$0 9% (28) $1 to $50 7% (21) $50 to $100 7% (23) $100 to $200 19% (62) $200 to $500 23% (73) $500 to $1000 19% (60) $1100 or more 17% (56)
Survey Comments
Over $3000 Well I just wanted to say that with my collection I have found that I eather have to buy food or devote several hours and considerably more room than I have available to raising rats and mice. I currently have over 50 snakes and close to that in lizards along with turtles a tortise and several other pets. When I used to raise rats and mice I found myself spending at a minumin of and extra hour a day cleaning, feeding and watering the food and not nearly enough time with the animals I actually had for pets. I feed every 8 to 10 days for most of the adults and every few days for the babies. There is really no time to care for the feeders and still have any kind of a life. Posted by vettesherps on August 25, 2002 I buy all but a few of my rodents from the Mouse Factory. I only feed live occasionly. I have not desire nor need to raise rats. For my small collection, it would not be practical - a lot more trouble than it's worth. f Posted by filthy on August 23, 2002 I used to I bred my own rats and mice for over 5 years to feed my 100+ collection because of the cost but take the 4 to 5 hours a night plus the bedding and the food not to mention the smell and I found out that 1 hour of overtime at work a day would pay for my rats and mice and I still had three more hours to be with my snakes. So yeah I pay around $300 for food but I spend more time with my snakes not my rats and I don't miss breeding rats a bit! Posted by Unboalievable on August 20, 2002 $$$ Spent on rodents? 80% of the money I spend on rodents goes for rodent feed and rodent bedding. The other 20% would be for sizes that I do not happen to have when I need them (usually larger sizes). It may get a little odiferous at times, but when you need "day-old" pinkies, there are no substitutes! Posted by Buzztail1 on August 19, 2002 Cost I spend about $60 a year Posted by PAULVANM on August 19, 2002 cost i have been studying snakes for well over 10 years. Throughout the past 3 years i have on average 15-20 snakes. i have been spending roughly 30$ a week. i got smart and began breeding mice so it has cut my cost. eventually i will raise rats, that is the real expensive part. my Yellow headed retic is a monster so... Greg Posted by wantinghot on August 16, 2002 Nothing at the day I have spent a little amount years ago. Now, I'm breeding my own rodents, cost = 0$. Posted by Anonymous on August 13, 2002 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!