Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Devenomized snakes, huh? Not knowing much about this, I'm skeptical. Reminds me of a "descented" skunk i once met... that still smelled like a skunk! What i would like to know is how it works, if it's permanent, and if even after all those expensive vet bills, can one still suffer a reaction of chewed on by a venemoid?? And wouldn't that be traumatic for the animal, as well as dangerous?
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

Scrolling through this forum after my initial post, i find that (unsurprisingly) the venemoid issue is one of much debate... I'm not trying to start a heated argument, i'm simply trying to satiate my curiosity. I am not and would not buy a venemoid- Nature does the things it does with good reason. But that's only my thought. If any one cares to give me their input on the subject, i'd appreciate the knowledge. But I AM NOT trying to start a big huge argument... any info though, pro or negative, would be interesting to me though.
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

You will find all the info that you seek.

:

There are two different surgeries that you can do to "devenomize" a snake. The first one is just removing the venom duct and leaving the venom gland. This surgery is NOT permanent and the duct will eventually regenerate. The other surgery is the removal of BOTH the venom duct and gland. This surgery is permanent.
My boyfriend and I are having the surgery done to two cobras {white lipped forest and an albino monocled}.However I am sort of on the fence about this issue. On one hand, I like to handle my snakes and interact with them without hooks. That would not be possible with a hot snake. One the other hand, is this surgery hurting the snake not only physically but mentally? Since you can't ask a snake if they are feeling lost without their venom duct or gland, we will never really know. I have observed both hot and venemoid snakes and there doesn't seem to be a huge difference. I guess I am on the venemoid side of the fence. I value the life of my boyfriend and anyone who steps foot into my snake room as well as my own. I know there are precautions and a "protocol" to follow when owning a hot snake, but I am a person with quite a few what if's running through my head. Plus I really like to interact with my snakes. It is all a personal preference I guess. I am ALSO not trying to start a huge uproar with my opinions. It is all opinions and everyone is right in their own minds.

Kris,

I enjoy interacting with all of my snakes, from cobras to mambas and assorted types of vipers. I do a lot of tailing and get plenty of "hands-on" time. Some of my animals are so accustomed to handling that they could almost be characterized as tame, but I don't think that freehandling is ever a good idea even if a snake has been raised in captivity and is totally placid.

The hook in my hand just feels like a natural extension. The hook is generally in my left hand to guide the snake's head and my right hand is used to gently grasp or support the snake's lower body. Handling hots is just a different technique and you get used to it quickly.

Mutilating and hurting a snake so you can keep it as a pet is cruel, and doubly so because most of the venomoids for sale to the public were not made by veterinarians but by profit hungry amateurs who use unsterile Home Depot equipment and no pain medicine. Many die so that the ones that survive can be sold for a ridiculous price. These amateur botch jobs cannot be considered reliable, and there have been "venomoids" sold that produced venom on milking.

More information in the FAQ.
Venomoid FAQ

I was afraid of that... When will humans learn to control their greed? Granted, I would love to own a venomous snake if it could not hurt me... like a wagners temple viper or something... but its not worth the animal's health and happiness. I'm kinda of the belief that venemous reptiles should only be owned by advanced herpetologists/herpetoculturalists, and research and education facilities anyways...
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

I almost forgot.... My boyfriend was bit by a devenomized forest cobra in his thumb. He was fine other that a swollen thumb from the actual bite and the toxins in the saliva.

If you don't want a venomous snake don't get one. There are plenty of amazing non-venomou snakes out there that will offer a challenge to any keeper of any skill level. And until this procedure is at least regulated (and hopfully banned in the future), IMO should be considered unethical. It bothers me that this forum condones this practice by allowing the sale of venomoids on this site.