Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone here has ever milked for profit (I know it's a very small group that does). I'm not saying that I want to run out and do it I'm just curious about the process/paperwork involved to get set up to do this and how feasable it is. I'm not a newbie, I've got over 15 years professional experience with herps and some experience with hots. I've never milked before and don't know that I ever would, what would I do with it??? and why stress the animal just because I can, I'm just looking into possible avenues to persue while expanding my business and whether it's worth it or not. With medical advancements and research involving rare venoms I thought it might be worth looking into.

Thanks
Sean
Heart Mountain Herps
email heartmountainherps@bresnan.net if you would prefer not to post responses here
-----
Heart Mountain Herps

I wish I had a dollar for everytime this question was asked.

There is no profit really to be made "milking snakes", Only a significant increase of risk of a serious bite.

There are just a few professional labs in the us that do this but it does not seem to be a way to get rich. The labs that do this are established and FDA, USDA & CITES regulated. The venoms from common snakes don't sell for much < than $100/Gm and you may have to milk several snakes to get that... If you had a few hundred Taipans then you would be in the right area to make $$ but who wants to handle & milk all those Taipans..not me! I don't care what it's worth. Plus the $$ are in the venom fractions wher you need a background in pharmacology & Biochemistry to succeed. The equipment is very expensive to buy & maintain too.

Just my two cents

Al
-----
Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

Cool, that's about all I wanted to know. I didn't figure that it was a quick way to get rich or everyone would do it. I was just wondering how complicated getting through the regulations was and if it was worth it and the stress on the snakes to bother with. Doesn't look like it.

Thanks
Sean
-----
Heart Mountain Herps

Al pretty much summed it up, it's even more red tape involved than pissed off snakes. If you still wanted to persue this, consider contacting the Kentucky Reptile Zoo (Jim Harrison I believe). Dr.Frye might also be interested, but I think he collects all of his own...venomdoc.com