Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Around my office different papers and articles of interest cycle for just plain amusement. Being the on-site herpetologist an article showed up on my desk that I just had to share with you.
About a year ago in AZ a roadside tourist trap featuring a number of endangered reptiles was closed down by two Dept. Of The Interior agents. The owner said that prior to their arrival, in efforts to hide the evidence he released a number of venomous snakes including a gaboon viper. After securing the owner and loading him into the car the two agents began to search for the released herps.
After about an hour one of the agents lifted a bucket off the ground and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his hand. He clutched his hand instantly in reflex and grabbed the head of the escaped Gaboon Viper. Securing the snake tightly he looked in amazement at his hand. One of the Gaboon’s 2-inch fangs had slipped between his fingers not hitting him at all, but the other had passed through the webbing between his middle and ring finger. Then he noticed something that could have saved his life.
Even though the snake’s fang had passed through his flesh, no venom was expelled until after it passed through the other side (therefore he had not been envenomated). Thinking quickly he took his jack knife (with his free hand; the one without the snake attached to it) and was able to cut his own flesh out from around the fang. Quickly rinsing it with cold water as to constrict the blood vessels he avoided any venom getting into his body.
Now at first reading this story I as many other most likely don’t believe it ever happened, however having access to the Dept. Of Interior’s records (I’m an agent for US Fish and Wildlife) I looked up any files that pertained to confiscation of endangered reptiles around that time, and sure enough was a field injury report (FIR) describing the incident and a medical record describing the treatment of the knife incisions. After realizing this story is true you begin to think wow this guy is one lucky SOB. (once you overlook the fang, knife, and the situation all together)

...why exotic venomous are banned here in Az....Not saying I agree with a ban, but this guy (the side show freak) certainly wasn't qualified to have a Gaboon viper. That agent should count his lucky stars everyday, as here in Az I'd imagine the A/V would be difficult to obtain.....

-AzAtrox

Been hearing this story for at least 10 years now (from more than a couple of different people). People that lie SUK! Don't believe everything you read folks.

If a Gaboon would do this & inject venom after it passed through the web of your finger there would still be enough venom on the tip of the fang to trigger a "not-so-pleasant" slight envenomation.
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Chad Bachman

Just read the whole story, and it still sounds like a story to me.
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Chad Bachman

I didnt beleive the story when I heard it, but I did see the report (and was quite astonished) . I sent a request that it be declassified but it did not come back yet so I can't post the report untill I get it. It did say that he did not have any venom enter his body though.

...I have to laff...but I dont want you to feel unwelcome....we need more F&W (& state) LE types on these forums to better understand the herp community & its issues.
As an ex-troop myself...I know some of our breathern, like most sectors of society... can be gullible...
But you cant really believe that one can you?
Always remember...& you'll close more cases...if it sounds unlikely...it probably is

Guys, I know the story sounds fake, but I did see those reports which seemed mighty similar to the story. Unless somebody is playing one hell of a joke on me or I have the wrong reports, I have no choice to beleive it to be true.

I had no intentions of poking fun at you, just saying I've heard similar stories from different people & have yet to believe it.

Peace.....We need it in the venomous community right now (thats why I don't post much LOL).
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Chad Bachman