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 much do you spend on the herp hobby per year -- snakes, cages, equipment, food etc.? (2nd Version of this Question)   Posted: Dec 04, 2001   (399 votes, 8 comments) by Charper
Survey Results
$1 to $500 24% (95) $501 to $1000 26% (102) $1001 to $2000 20% (80) $2001 to $5000 17% (68) $5000 or more 14% (54)
Survey Comments
Common sense.... When you spend lots of money on rodents, wouldn't make sense to breed your own? I know someone who does that, and he has saved lots of money because of it! Posted by SnakeEyes on May 14, 2002 I spend $500.00 a year a lone in rats and mice, but I keep only venomous, and their eating habbits seem to vary more than boas and pythons causing me to waste more.I sometimes refreeze, but I hear thats not good.Jeff Quarles Lynchburg Va Posted by cottonmouth on March 28, 2002 happy I have very good conection to the museum in my hometown. There we have much reptiles an snakes, also venomous snakes. I get my mice and my insects from there, so I have no more payments! I think it is very possible when you have some connection like that! Greetings Bitis Bwana ya nyoka (Suaheli- Snakeman) Posted by Bitis on December 28, 2001 It's funny...... But it seems the more I spend, the more I end up wanting to, or having to buy! I suppose I can justify every single purchase. But, in reality, IT IS AN OBSESSION!! I am even sort of looking at other houses, with bigger basements, or large out buildings. I hope I don't find one. I would be in the poor house, trying to fill it up with more herps, cages, freezers, rodent setups etc... All perfectly justifiable purchases of course! haha Hotstuff Posted by Hotstuff on December 21, 2001 $5,000.00 or more I did not had to make numbers to answer this survey. This year, (2001) I spent more money in reptiles than ever before. Feeders: About $400.00 on jumbo rats alone! About $400.00 on all other rat sizes, about $150.00 on rabbits. Boas: 0.1 Pucallpa Peru Red Tail Boa, sub-adult 0.1 Hog Island Boa, sub-adult 1.0 Salmon Hypo Boa, baby 1.1 D.H. Snow Boas, adult 1.0 Albino Boa, sub-adult 0.3 H. Albino Boas, sub-adult to adult Pythons: 1.1 Spotted Pythons, sub-adult 0.1 Papuan Python, adult 1.1 Albino Labyrinth Burmese Pythons, adult 0.1 Ambon Yellow Head Reticulated Python, sub-adult 0.1 Striped Tiger Reticulated Python, sub-adult 0.1 Super Tiger Reticulated Python, sub-adult 12 new Vision Cages: Four 6'W by 3'D by 1.5'H, two 4'W by 2.5'D by 1.5'H and six 3'W by 2.5'D by 1.5'H This year I have also sold: All of my Colubrids, a few Boas and a litter of normal/Tiger Reticulated Pythons. I also sold a couple of custom cages. However, because of Sep 11 attacks I lost my employment. Next year my hobby expences will look radicly different, at least until I get a decent job. Keep herping!!! HERPNUT PS. Lucky for me, Venomous in my state are all free!!! (except for the cost of field collecting trips.) Posted by HERPNUT on December 19, 2001 Expences I checked the $5,000.00 box. That is quite a bit of money. But the majority of our animals are wild caught. And at this point we currently have 19 species of Crotalus and 1 sistrurus. Only two species were trade acquired. And as far as quanity, we have about 50, rattlesnakes only. Not to mention our Old world and south American vipers, non-vens (which include a costantly hungry 12 foot Burmese python), and other reptiles, lizards and caimen. So when you add up the travel miles, food, supplies... WOW! We took two trips to California (trip 1: 7 days, trip 2: 3 days), one to New Mexico (3 days) and we travel on average of about 300-400 miles a night herping. We live in West Texas. And to think, I quit smoking to save money...lol! Posted by Ambrosia on December 18, 2001 I would like to explain why I did'nt tick the 5000 box....I have a computer, an alarm nad other things for the shed itself...the snakes are the only thing occupying that space. I remove snakes from houses and breed snakes and it works out that they pay for themselves, however I am always buying books etc to either further my knowledge or do research, I take many photos...again all herp related...if you include petrol to see collections etc..in total I would go closer to 7 0r 8 thou per year....to show you how easy it adds up last week....$70 on food, $10 on film, $240 on the electricity..about 30 % is related, $50 on 2 books $30 on petrol...income from herp this past week $200 from snake calls. So I lost : $20 fairly average week. Posted by BLACKSNAKE on December 5, 2001 $ spent I'm new to the hobby so I don't spend much money. I have a feeling I'll spend more next year. Posted by Trigger on December 4, 2001 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!