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. For those of you who keep venomous reptiles, how many keep venomous exclusively and how many also keep nonvenomous?   Posted: Jun 20, 2002   (534 votes, 11 comments) by Buzztail1
Survey Results
Venomous only! 13% (70) Nonvenomous only! 14% (76) Both, but mostly venomous! 30% (158) Both, but mostly nonvenomous! 25% (133) I don't keep snakes, I am just interested in them! 12% (66) Keep Snakes? Are you nuts! 6% (31)
Survey Comments
what are the laws in south carolina? can anyone tell me about the specifics pertaining to venomous keeping in SC? Posted by serpentinespirit on July 6, 2002 Both, but mostly VENOMOUS... I live in a Zoo "Hot" House. Literally! We have so many "Hots" that we had to become a private non-profit zoo. We keep everything from Bitis to Croatlus, from Elaphe to Python. And iguana's to chuckwallas. Lots of Crotalus. Currently a bigger selection of vipers and non-vens than the AZA funded zoo we used to live by. At least that's what the head keeper of the Serp. says. We are currently building our collection of Naja and Ophiophagus as well. We have two seperate buildings where we house everyone. Talk about the bills. Maybe we should charge addmission...lol. Posted by Ambrosia on July 5, 2002 Information Will be spending the next 6 to 7 months on Guam, and any links or websites with more info on the Brown Tree Snake would be appreciated. Info I have found so far is sketchy so far, concerning venom(is it a TRUE venom?) and its toxicity. I plan on become involved with one of the many research programs studying the Brown, and will be more than happy to share whatever I do discover. All info is appreciated. Posted by snakecop on July 2, 2002 Keep snakes? Are you nuts? My wife is positively phobic about snakes. The longest I ever went without marital relations in our marriage occurred when I pulled what I thought was a little joke with a large rubber fishing worm. Saying: "Look, it's FAKE!!!" only pissed her off more. I am content to check out my friends snakes and hit the reptile house at the Cincy Zoo or whichever zoo we happen to visit. Small price to pay to ensure marital privileges. Posted by notsnakebityet on June 30, 2002 mostly non When we relocate to Arizona we will see what permits we need to get what we want. Mult. County is a bit limited. Living in the city is just not good if you LOVE most snakes!! kathy p. Posted by kathtus on June 28, 2002 mostly venomous I keep 1.1 pair of canebrakes, 1.1 pair of pymies, 1.0 coralsnake,1.0 southern copperhead, thats it for venomous right now I have been keeping hots for four years now. Posted by Gahotherpkeeper on June 26, 2002 Even 2 Speckled Kings, one juvy Copperhead and one young adult Massasauga Posted by kanherp on June 23, 2002 Mostly non vens I keep mostly non venomous snakes right now, I'm lookin for a house to buy so the numbers might be rising pretty soon. I have warned my girlfriend to keep an eye on me, I don' want to end up living in a vivarium full of corbra's . I've seen people living under medievel circumstances: no food, no water... just a lot of snakes! they claimed they were happy, but I guess that wouldn't do much good for my mental health, besides, I like my Elaphes as much as my Rattlesnakes Posted by Snakeskin on June 23, 2002 no venomous yet I only have a Python regius right now but am looking into getting a venomous but not sure where to start Posted by burly on June 21, 2002 Non Ven I think that I don't have already the necessary experience to have hots, peharps in two or three years.... Love and beer Posted by Natrix_Maura on June 20, 2002 Mostly nonvenomous Actually I have: 2.1 naja haje 1.0 Ophiophagus Hannah (finally I get it:) ) 1.1 Molurus m. bivittatus 2.2 Python regius 0.1 Boa constrictor ortoni Posted by Jurliki on June 20, 2002 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!