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!
how did you learn to keep venomous reptiles?   Posted: Mar 02, 2013   (80 votes, 10 comments) by bitisatrox   I had a mentor   I jumped in all by my self   I had a little help from a friend   books / internet   other: please explain   I dont keep venomous     (80 votes, 10 comments)
Survey Results
I had a mentor 25% (20) I jumped in all by my self 43% (34) I had a little help from a friend 14% (11) books / internet 9% (7) other: please explain 5% (4) I dont keep venomous 5% (4)
Survey Comments
I jumped in all by my self not the way I suggest. If I could I would have chose a mentor. Posted by VenomRedDragon on January 6, 2018 Amateur I voted other...since I was 13-14 years old my dad too me snake hunting just to catch and release. He never kept hot snakes...just fought me about them and how to safely catch and handle them Posted by BlackPhaseTim on August 22, 2015 Newb I'm ready to up my level to venomous. I've been handling my non venomous snakes for several years, one of which is very ill tempered. I've built an awesome paludarium, per my states specification requirements, I've acquired my commercial non breeder permit, and have done months of research... And now that I'm legit and ready... I CAN'T FIND A REPUTABLE DEALER who will sale me one because I was HONEST about not having experience with venomous species. This sucks. Posted by Chooper85 on May 18, 2013 venomous I have kept and bred various colubrids. I jumped into the venomous, but not blindly. I did tons of research first, read books, and watched a lot of videos. After I received my first batch of atrox I then hooked up with a friend who taught me a lot as well. Always be smart, always be safe! Posted by gspencer on May 14, 2013 I started with the lower level hots and start to slowly upgrade like right now im looking for a young captive born western dback Posted by Snakeman16 on May 1, 2013 Jumped in I say I jumped in, but I had 10+ years experience with various non-venomous first. Posted by Crotalusssp on April 16, 2013 HOT KEEPING I SAID YES TO INDUSTRY DOING MORE TO ELIMINATE RECKLESS OR CARELESS HOT KEEPING AND NO TO ANY GOVT. EFFORTS TO FRUTHER REGULATE THE INDUSTRY.THANK YOU FOR READING Posted by snakedoc2 on March 28, 2013 dna identification I DO THINK THIS WILL HELP. HOWEVER I FIND IT ETREMLY DIFFICULT TO ELIMINATE CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKES AS A SUB-SPECI AND SAY THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIM AND A TIMBER WHICH CLEARLY LACKS COLOR AND PATTERNS WHICH CANEBRAKES DO HAVE AN ORANGE SPLASH ON HIS FACE,WITH A REDDISH DORSAL STRIPE WHICH IS ABSENT ON MOST TIMBERS. I STILL CONSIDER CANEBRAKES A SUB-SPECI. KENTUCKY SAYS D.N.A.PROVES IT TO BE SAME AS A TIMBER.N.C. STILL SAYS YOU CAN NOT POSESS EITHER SPECI. WHO IS RIGHT? Posted by snakedoc2 on March 28, 2013 Why I dont keep venomous....Yet!!! I just recently started watching venomous keepers on You Tube. I have always been an animal lover and had a few pet grass snakes when I was a youngster. I am educating myself as much as possible before I even entertain the thought of getting one. I love the color of the southern copperhead and the Gaboon viper. I know they are miles apart as far as the toxcitity of their venom. That is why I choose education over learning the trial by fire method. I cant get enough of watching the handling videos,,,I absolutely love em. Posted by TOOSCARED2TOUCH on March 27, 2013 I dont keep venomous My one and only reason behind that is the fact I live in Illinois. I keep retics primarily. Posted by vanerka on March 9, 2013 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!