Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...the surgeries when done by a licensed veterinarian AND if the purpose for them is the safety of a zookeeper(i.e., a venemoid black mamba, taipan, king cobra, etc.) Several AZA zoos do, in fact keep them. BUT, to venomoid a cottonmouth, rattlesnake, gaboon, that is about as hard to hook as sacking a Penn State QB? They're not neaded.

I think the underlying problem we all have with them(and it has nothing to do with whether the surgery is invasive or brutal) BUT the fact that..NOT ONE DEALER WHO SELLS THEM IS DOING SO FOR THE SAFETY OF THE KEEPERS! THE UNDERLYING PURPOSE FOR THESE SNAKES IS BECAUSE THE DEALERS CAN'T COMPETE IN THE VENOMOUS MARKET OF COMPETENT KEEPERS, WHO REFUSE TO PI$$ AWAY $600 ON A $70 GABOON VIPER! THEY"RE SO DESPARATE FOR A SALE, THAT THEIR NEW MARKET IS THE NOVICE, UN-SKILLED KEEPER, WHO HAS NO BUSINESS KEEPING VENOMOUS SNAKES TO BEGIN WITH!!! IT's an ethics issue of just how pathetic do we have to become to make a dollar? Some people will do anything for a buck. No thanks. I'll stick to the tougher species that are a challenge to keep, even if it means keeping them all so they don't fall into the hands of irresponsible keepers.

That's the issue with venomoids. Not the procedure itself, but the underlying reason for why they even exist--$$$$$$$$.

MCH
www.matabuey.com

those were some of the points I tried to make in previous posts, but they fell on deaf ears ( the person apparently couldn't read ). I said that venomoids are targeted to ignorant, unskilled people, who don't know any better. And, that it's done solely for money, capitalism was the response I received.
Apparently noone cares that it's an illegal activity, unless done by a licensed Vet. Let's see if your words are actually understood. On a side note, I'm taking it you're not the biggest fan of your quarterback right now?
See you at the show.
-Tom

I myself dont keep any snakes that are truly considered venomous, unless you count hognoses, but I have to agree. Venomoids may be helpful in some situations,like the ones originally stated in the first post, but for the average keeper why should it be done. If your still at the point where you get bitten, then just stay completely away.