Reptile & Amphibian Forums

LEAF CHRONICLE (Clarksville, Tennessee) 26 July 07 Tennessee authorities confiscate several deadly snake species (Owen Schroeder)
There are several species of poisonous snakes native to Tennessee, including timber rattlesnakes, copperheads and cotton-mouthed moccasins, but imagine a monocled cobra or a Gaboon viper living right next door to you.
Unfortunately, that was the case reported by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as it recently announced the results of statewide undercover investigation targeting individuals who traffic in deadly reptiles.
Operation Striking Distance was initiated in September 2006, and resulted in the arrest of seven individuals and the confiscation of more than 100 poisonous snakes, alligators and turtles.
"I am greatly pleased with the work of our investigators and officers," said Sonny Richardson, Chief of Law Enforcement for the TWRA. "This was a complex investigation, involving the cooperation of many people in four different areas of the state that subsequently resulted in potentially hazardous animals being prevented from causing harm to the public."
The investigation found illegal Class 1 venomous reptiles in the possession of individuals residing in Robertson, Sumner, Davidson, Rutherford, Hamblen, Wilson and Trousdale Counties. Charges are also pending against other individuals in Shelby County, with the possibility of more individuals being implicated.
Class 1 wildlife is classified as all species inherently dangerous to humans, and may only be possessed by zoos, circuses and certain commercial breeders.
The confiscated species seized in the investigation include a Chinese cobra, a black Pakistani cobra, an albino monocled cobra, a spitting cobra, several Gaboon vipers, several rhinoceros vipers, as well as an assortment of rattlesnakes and copperheads.
Several of these exotic species, such as the Gaboon viper and the monocled cobra, rank among the world's most poisonous snakes, and there are only a few health care facilities in the Southeast region equipped with anitvenom to handle an emergency involving them.
It was noted children resided in several of the homes where the snakes were seized.
Tennessee law prohibits the sale, importation and ownership of venomous snakes and alligators. The sale and possession of any type of turtle as a pet is also prohibited. If you know of anyone who owns these types of animals, you are encouraged to contact the TWRA at 615-781-6580.
TN authorities confiscate several deadly snake species

Do gaboon vipers rank among the worlds most venomous? Better stockpile some antiVENOM. Who writes this stuff?

d