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. How do you heat your venomous snakes/reptiles?   Posted: Sep 14, 2000   (96 votes, 5 comments) by RC
Survey Results
Heat the entire snake room 15% (14) Heat lamps in cages 9% (9) Lightbulbs in cages 3% (3) Heat Tape/Heat Pads under cages 18% (17) Combination of the above 52% (50) Other 3% (3)
Survey Comments
Heat and then some more heat I heat my whole reptile room and then apply light bulbs to the cages that need "a little extra." Posted by Buzztail1 on September 21, 2000 HI all, I heat al of my cages individually, mainly by light globes inside the cages situated at one end however I also use heat tape/mats. I keep copperheads Austrelaps sp and adult Eastern Tiger Snakes Notechis scutatus in pits outside for part of the year. Scott Posted by BLACKSNAKE on September 20, 2000 Tropicals, etc. I heat the entire room. I have a thermostat that runs the heaters at a daytime high and a nighttime low. For the room temp, I just pick a happy medium that will suffice for the species I am currently keeping. Tropical sp. get heat tape for basking. Currently, I keep all my venomous herps without heat tape - so I answered the first choice. I find this method works the best for me. Posted by NUMBER18 on September 16, 2000 Thermoregulation I keep the room at a minimum acceptable temp. Then use basking spots to heat one end of the enclosure and allow the animal to pick the area in the enclosure that suits it best at the time, allowing the animal to regulate its own temp. Posted by DKT on September 15, 2000 Thermoregulation I heat/cool the entire room and use overhead basking lights for spot heating. The lights are placed on the end of the cage opposite the water bowl. Posted by Charper on September 14, 2000 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!