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. Do you have an insurance policy that will cover you in the event that someone is bitten by one of your venomous reptiles? [Including a homeowners policy.]   Posted: Sep 07, 2002   (419 votes, 11 comments) by Charper
Survey Results
Yes. 16% (69) No. 28% (118) I don't really know if it will cover me. 17% (70) I don't keep any venomous reptiles. 39% (162)
Survey Comments
Insurance As the owner and promoter of a venomous event I think that venomous keeprs and dealers should know how expensive it is to get insurance on such an event. Some people wonder why the rules are so strict about handling the snakes out of the containers. As far as I know there is only one company in the USA that will insure a venomous event. The insurance really comes from Lloyds of London. The insurance typically runs about $1,400 PER DAY. This is often more than the rent on the facility and only 5-8 percent of the vendors will have venomous for sale. The company will not pay any claims that are filed because a reptile was out of it's proper container. Why do venomous show owners have strict rules about containers? Because we have to. A bit could not only devastate us, but even worse it could hurt our industry and hobby in a bad way. Just imagine the headlines " Child bitten by cobra at animal show." We can't let it happen. Posted by Cantil on January 16, 2003 gotta have it In my city I must carry at least $50,000 liability insurance that covers envenomation of anyone by my pet before I can even get a permit to keep hots. Luckily, with much begging and pleading and a call to EVERY ins co in the yellow pages my current provider agreed to in clude hots in a $300,000 snakebite liability policy! It helps to ask if they can include it under a "dangerous dog" clause. That was my saving grace Posted by CrotralusOffRoad on December 7, 2002 insurance the state of GA says that native venomous snakes do not require insurance, but if you want non-native species, then post a $236.00 fee for the permit and you must also have $40,000.00 liability insurance. These rates are per animal, per year. The insurance is required even if your homeowners policy covers you.Also of intrest, GA does NOT reconize venomoids-they are still venomous-even with all the proper documentation.Side note: even if your homeowners covers someone getting bitten in your house, you can be sued even if the person that got bit was breaking in your house. Scary thought, huh? Posted by ZX11 on October 27, 2002 snake i have a question about a snake i recently found in my yard. what kind was it. the snake was approx 5 inches long, mostly brown except for his head which was black. the black head may have went down his body about a half inch from his head. i thought it was a large worm at first but it was crawling away so fast i looked closer and discovered it was a snake. i also observed some type of patterns on the snakes back. thanks for any help given. sc Posted by culp on September 26, 2002 Nuisance captures... The Parish (equivilant to county in Louisiana) Government covers me for envenomations of myself, the sheriff deputies, and the resident(s) in the event of an envenomation of said persons during the process of a "Nuisance Animal Capture". Most nuisance snakes are non-hots, but there are PLENTY of cottonmouth and copperhead captures per year. So far (knock on wood) no one has been hurt on a nuisance call that I've been to. Posted by Hawkeman on September 25, 2002 I know my insurance covers alligator bites. I found that out earlier this summer. Posted by ian on September 19, 2002 I think any insurance company would fight a claim, shucks; it's hard enough to get them to pay normal claims. BRICK Posted by Brick on September 18, 2002 YEAH I smoke my venomous snakes Posted by ummvenom on September 16, 2002 Of course.... Our city has ordinance banning venomous reptiles, and besides, I dont have the funds to go south and grab a couple rattlers :( Posted by looksharmless on September 11, 2002 Yes but,??? If some one is bitten by one of my animals they are covered by my home owners policy. There is a stipulation though that exemps coverage is you are performing an ilegal act. The coverage would be waived if that person was bitten in my house because my city has an ordinance banning venomous reptiles. Posted by vettesherps on September 7, 2002 Of course.... I think it should be obligatory, as happens with the cars.... Posted by Jurliki on September 7, 2002 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!