Before I e-mail this to the source Al gave below, I will run it by our excellent critics of the KS venomous forum first. I am including the name of the organization as well as my contact information on the letter, but I am not going to include it under this "alias" which I do not directly associate with the organization I operate.
opinions welcome
I recently read your story involving a man and his “pet false water cobra.” I understand you have received a lot of information correcting the original print. I would also like to verify the snake was not a threat to an average human. While it does produce venom, its efficiency in delivering this toxin is hardly any different than many snakes here in the United States which we in fact consider “non-venomous.” The false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) is actually a closer relative to our garter snakes (Thamnophis sp.)(both colubridae family) than it is of the true cobras (elapidae family).
I was glad to see there was a corrective print, but I would like to comment on the decision to freeze the animal. Even if authorities were allegedly unable to locate a proper facility to take in the animal, the decision to “put down” the snake by means of freezing was a poor one. This is certainly an inhumane and unnecessary practice.
As a spokesperson for an organization aimed towards building public respect for snakes and other wildlife, I cannot support the sequence of decisions made by any authoritative bodies involved in this case.
Also, while I understand a journalist should not need to question an authoritative source regarding the identification and danger of the animal in question, this incident clearly shows why it may be necessary to verify information.
Thank you for your time.
