Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I first want to say that I know and respect the extensive arguments against venomoids. My question though is if their is truth to the idea that they can regenerate their capacity to envenomate and if so what are the realistic odds of it happening. I was considering the idea a while back as a semi safe way to have a very sacred serpent (naja) in a home with myself, wife and three kids. I ultimately decided that I would pursue other snakes as they are less risky, but I would really like to know the reality behind the idea of regrown venom glands.

Thanks,
Ron

I don't know about full gland regeneration, but I THINK there has been a case or two where elapids that simply had the duct severed have re-connected. I have also heard a couple say(don't know if it's true) that some cobras have a mild toxin in their saliva-enough to kill a mouse slowly over the course of an hour or two, or to cause a severe headache in a human. If anyone else has heard of this case I'd like to know. I think someone posted something about it a couple years ago(unofficial study they were doing), and I haven't seen anything about it since.