Reptile & Amphibian Forums

how do you folks feel about the devenomation of snakes to use in shows? We recently had a fellow here in Oregon doing shows at fairs who often lets people handle his large cobra. it has been devenomated but still has the fangs. Let me state again I have no personal experience with venomous but lots with non venomous. Part of me is a bit put off by the whole idea. I have no idea how it is accomplished surgically speaking or how it effects the snake long term but it just seems wrong. On the other hand perhaps it is a good education tool and is worth doing. Personally I like to see animals left the way they were intended but maybe I'm wrong here. With out causing a big political war what is the opinions of those who know what this is like for both the snakes and the public? People ask my opinions often regarding snake things and I would like some input so I am not just expressing my personal view but a view with some facts. Thanks

In general, I'm completely against Venomoids. For people to own them privately, just because they want a hot, but don't have enough respect for the animal to have it the way Nature intended it to be, I think it's a less than admirable practice, and would never do it myself. For the SINGLE exception of educational purposes, if a Venomoid can expose someone who is otherwise completely uneducated about snakes, particularly VENOMOUS snakes, to these animals and instill some compassion and understanding in them, then I guess devenomizing them is at least for a good cause that can have a lifelong positive effect on people. Then the snake kind of becomes a martyr, I guess. Everybody loves a martyr, right?

What happens to the snake long term? Does it effect digestion? Increase infections of the mouth? I have always thought this would adversely effect the health of the animal.
I do reptile talks in my area with nonvenomous species. Education is important but I am still doubting the need to use venomoids. I have tons of respect for those of you that actually handle the real thing and I am sure venomous reptiles can be used for education "intact". I don't see the need for the public to touch the venomous varieties..I'm darned impressed just seeing them! Interesting arguement either way.

Proper devenomizations don't negatively effect the long term health of venomous snakes in any way, and to call the snake a martyr is kind of ridiculous in my opinion. In your eyes the snake is a martyr. For the snake, it's not dying and I find it hard to believe that the snakes even feel depressed with this state of venom production. How exactly are they 'martyrs'? It's your personal perception of the animal that gives you this view.

I think it is irresponsible to free handle even a devenomized snake publicly. A devenomized snake handled with the proper tools and with proper method removes any potential risk associated with an accident and still serves as an educational tool. You can call them 'martyrs' all day long but in that case a devenomized snake is FAR superior to a hot snake.

and to the OP, devenomizations done PROPERLY really do not do any long term harm to snakes. People's objections to the process are either founded on 'backyard butchers' or superiority.

A long time ago, About 20 to 25 years or so, I let Jake" the snake" Roberts use my python on TV. I was paid $400.00 for 1 show, back then, that was a good chunk of change, and also in return, I got 1 monocle, 1 black and white, 1 western, and 2 duskys.All hot and all free. Then he wanted to have my monocle devenomized. So, again, I was paid very well for 1 show and he had a top notch vet do the job. Now before you guys get out your clubs and rope, just realize that I was in my early 20's and only making about $300.00 a week. Jake never hurt my animals. My Burmese lived out his final days in a zoo and was 20 something ft. long. Also I never would have been introduced to the hots. Enough with the self defense and back to the question of morality. My monocle was just as healthy as any of my hots. He never suffered any ill effects and lived another 10 years with me and I know it lived another 2 with the person I sold it to. Then he moved out of state so I lost track of it. Now, Would I ever have one of my snakes that I have now, devenomized? Heck no, WHY? If you want a hot, get one. If not, get a garter snake.