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. Collection survey time. What kind of venomous reptiles do you keep?   Posted: Oct 01, 2003   (530 votes, 24 comments) by Nightflight99
Survey Results
Mostly rear-fanged colubrids 7% (36) Mostly domestic species (including Heloderma) 17% (91) Mostly exotic terrestrial pitvipers & vipers 13% (69) Mostly arboreal pitvipers & vipers 10% (51) Mostly Elapids 8% (41) No real focus, I keep a little bit of everything (please elaborate) 13% (68) I don't keep any venomous reptiles at this time 33% (174)
Survey Comments
The List Currently I keep crotalus: viridis, helleri, cercobombus, adamanteus, nuntius, atrox, scutulatus, and a trio of Hypo atrox. Bitis: arietans, gabonica, nascicornis. Cerastes: horned vipers. Pseudocerastes persicus. Copperheads: southern, northern, osage, broadband. And finally little pigmies. I am now allowed by my wife to get my first naja, wish me luck!!! David Furphy AKN Venom and Exotics Posted by Amabilis on March 11, 2004 I don't keep venomous I don't keep venomous reptiles, FOR THE MOMENT, but I would like to keep in the future some species like: Micrurus Nigrocictus,Micrurus alleni,Bothriechis lateralis and schegelii. Posted by josbar on January 3, 2004 Elapids At the time, 1.1 Naja Haje and 1.0 Ophiophagus Hannah Posted by Jurliki on October 31, 2003 Cobras and such I have 1 monacled and 1 egyptian as well as a copperhead. West African Green Mambas will be on the way within a few months Posted by LordChristensen on October 27, 2003 Lotso'hots My venomous collection is limited mostly to native crotalus and agkistrodon, with a few bitis and naja thrown into the mix. I am planning on heloderma soon, as well as a few more elapids, much to the dismay of my girlfriend. Posted by snakeking on October 25, 2003 Hey, snakesallover!!! I'd love to see some pics of those ball pythons!!! (If it was a typo or a joke, just ignore me.) Posted by LarryDFishel on October 20, 2003 hate to say no focus But when you run down my list it looks like it. Crotalus atrox, C.viridis, C.molossus, C.cerastes. Aspidelaps scutatus,A.l.infuscutus. Atheris squamiger, A.ceratophora. Trimeserus trigons, T.kanburiensis.Porthidium ophryomegas, Acanthopis antarcticus, Bitis arietans. A pair of Cerastes cerastes on the way. A gila. Then there's the nonvenomous.... Posted by viandy on October 19, 2003 ball pthons I keep six ball pythons all over 15 feet and have a rabit farm that I get food from but I have been planning to get king snakes and a easter dimond back and a massasauga rattle snake but that wont be for a few months yet! Posted by snakesallover on October 17, 2003 yalllllllllll welllllll I luv em all. too in love Posted by kathtus on October 14, 2003 rattlers i keep rattle snakes of all species. i often have a eastern diamondback in qurantine.my next buy is a black mamba which should be very fun handling.if wanting to sell i will buy any species of rattle snakes within reason. ps dont get bit Posted by rattleman1 on October 11, 2003 rattle snakes i keep rattle snakes. all of them are cb. they all eat really well. i never got bit yet and dont plan on it.i am also looking to buy rattlers from people that ship to the door. Posted by rattleman1 on October 11, 2003 I am with most in keeping a bit of everything from crotalus to naja. All of my native collection is hand caught. Posted by cottonmouth on October 8, 2003 little of everything I've got two cobras, 3 bush vipers, and a rattler. Hopefuly this week I'll be getting a pair of neotropical rattlers. Posted by spnx on October 8, 2003 Little bit of everything... We keep roughly 29-30 species of Crotalus (North & South American), about 10 species of Elapids, Roughly 20 species of other various Old & New World Vipers, various north American non-venomous (Kingsnakes, Milks, Rats & ect...), 1 Mexican Hognose, 1 Central American Boa, 3 Carpet Pythons, 3 Ball Pythons, 1 Savu Python, and a few Lizards. In total, about 175-200 reptiles, mostly venomous. Posted by Ambrosia on October 7, 2003 Collection We have 17 elapid Sp., 15 crotalus Sp., 10 viperid Sp. and 3 Sp. of colubridae. (45 different Sp. at present). We hold a large number of Echis ocellatus (119). The total number of snakes in the collection can vary a little but is usually around 350 – 400 snakes. There is just myself caring for the collection. Paul Rowley Posted by Hotherps on October 7, 2003 mmm I have, but just for a day or so. It was a copperhead and it some jerck had tryd to kill it with a bassball bat. I kep it till some one could come and get it Posted by copperheadkid15 on October 5, 2003 since I live at home I can't have more then one but the one I own is a ball python. Posted by santosgirl on October 3, 2003 what i keep I just started keeping hots (3 years ago, I still concider myself a novice keeper) I keep small Crotalus and Sistrurus species and I've taken care of some viperids (Bitis, Cerastes, Eristicophis and Echis) Recently I've bought an Aspidelaps as a first Elapid, I hope to accuire 3 more sunday the 5th From my point of view this is a logical way to build up a collection of hot snakes in a considerate manner Peter Posted by Snakeskin on October 3, 2003 I have a albino black rat snake at 6.5 feet and a corn snake at 4 feet. I don't have no venomous reptiles yet. Posted by Viperdae on October 2, 2003 My collection has no real focus what so ever! I keep everything from Naja and Aspidelaps, to Atheris and Trimeresurus as well as some Pituophis and Agkistrodon thrown into the mix to keep it interesting:-) Too many aspects of snake to admire, none of which can be found in any one sp or genus. Jeremy Posted by TAIPAN78 on October 2, 2003 Heloderma I keep Rio Fuerte beaded lizards. Six yearlings righ now and more to come. Next purchase some Eyelash vipers. Posted by RoyalReptiles on October 2, 2003 Agkistrodon RULE!!!! I love my copperheads, I keep all 5 ssp of copperhead including intergrades from various states and counties. I also keep eastern cottons, various crotalus, cantils, hognosed vipers, as well as some pits, kingsnakes, and I am a big fan of scorps and centipedes. I have (in the past) kept bitis,bothrops, MANY Naja, heamactus,bungarus,and many other rear fangs and colubrids (Keeping reptiles since I was8, working in wholesale by 14) as well as many other oddities along the way. Nothing like dem copperheads though, if I only had one snake to pick, It would be texas pete. Jared Posted by jared on October 1, 2003 elapids Just 1.1 03' albino monocleds for now...Id like to expand to crotalids and bitis tho, and change my vote to Terrestrial vipers and pitvipers... Posted by CFoley on October 1, 2003 Cobras and large vipers I keep Gaboon vipers and monocle cobras at the moment. I often have some sort of native pit viper in quarantine. My next purchase will be a pair of CB 2003 king cobras and a pair of CB 2003 spitters(still unsure of which species) Posted by Crotalus75 on October 1, 2003 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!