Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am currently in care of 25 individual elapids, most of them cobras. I have 2 king cobras, a 12 ft. female and a 9 ft. male. They are housed separetly unless it's breeding time. One day (early in the morning, and having left them together for a breeding session, i was doing cage cleaning. I put the cage divider between me and what appeared to be both snakes together on one side of the cage. Having newspaper as a substrate, and being a bit tired, i didn't realize that one of the cobras was under the newspaper on the side i was cleaning! Imagine my suprise as i non-chalantly lifted the newspaper to find my 9ft. male rise up and get very pissed! I froze out of pure shock, it is very intimidating seeing a king cobra inches from your face when you are least expecting it. I leaned back just as he struck missing my face by inches. His next strike got me on the hand as i attempted to close the cage door. I quickly closed the door and waited for the effects of the venom to come on. I had no antivenin on hand, and i was sure this was the end of me. However, 15 min. later, i had no signs of envenomation. An hour later, nothing. I concluded that i had recieved a dry bite, very luckily. I always triple check now to make sure my hots are where i think they are when i am cleaning or doing anything, because i don't think my king's will be as nice and forgiving the second time around.

As to how a momentary lapse in safe guarding procedures can lead to a potential fatal envenomation. Regardless of how much experience one acquires, humans do make mistakes, unless we are constantly on guard to prevent them. I am pleased that you were quite fortunate in this particular incidence. Thank you for providing this scenario, so that all venomous herpers and would be venomous herpers can learn from your experience.

Cheers,

Derek K.

Thanks from me, too, for your bite details. Not many care to volunteer such info. Glad you were okay.
Sincerely,
Bill Huseth

Maybe I shouldn't read anything into your logon name, but are you sure this really happened, or is this a troll? Not judging you, just asking.

In any case, irrespective of whether it is a true story or not, it is relaistic and likely enough to serve as a useful reminder to be careful with cage maintenance - I recall beating the world triple-backwards-somersault distance record when I removed a water bowl from an "empty" cage and the Naja siamensis still hiding behind it exploded into my face.

On the other hand, waiting for symptoms after any neurotoxic bite, is not a smart move. They may be delayed (by 24 hours or more), and may then come on very suddenly. The moment you find yourself slipping into respiratory arrest is not the best time to think about phoning an ambulance. Moreover, unlike some other snakebite symptoms, neurotoxicity can be treated without antivenom, so had you developed severe symptoms, you could have been treated successfully instead of becoming a headline. Anyone bitten by a seriously venomous snake, and especially a neurotoxic one, belongs in hospital for observation, whether symptoms are present or not.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW

WW Home

I had a similar incedent with a sub adult kaouthia not to long ago. She was in her hide I went to place mouse at the entrance with the longest hemostats I have. Next thing I knew the damn girl was half way up the hemos straeing me in the face!!!! I had to drop them, with her along for the ride and then scoop her back up into the cage (she is in a rubbermaid which had been placed on a bed so the fall wasnt far and onto carpet). Far and away a the most dangerous thing that has ever happened to me!!! I now place her in a transfer box for feeding and havent had any incidents since. Talk about a "check your pants" situation!!! Yikes!!

Anyway, thanks for the interesting account Wolfgang and BTW, I think thats the first time I have ever heard you speak about your self and captive husbandry!

All the best,
Jeremy

>>Anyway, thanks for the interesting account Wolfgang and BTW, I think thats the first time I have ever heard you speak about your self and captive husbandry!

LOL - that's because I don't do much captive husbandry. That particular incident happened in a friend's garage in Bangkok where we were storing a substantial number of N. siamensis we had just purchased from villagers for research.

The only thing I have ever kept at home have been the odd colubrid (corn snakes and the like). We have a small, live venomous snake reserahc collection at work, but that gets looked after by a technician.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW

WW Home

He's a legit poster.. but I hope from reading your post that the incidents related in his post happened over 24 hours ago, for his sake.

Yes, I am still alive, and this was a while ago...interesting fact, the bite area still itches after 2 years, on and off of course, sometimes it won't itch for months and then it starts...residual effects of a "dry" bite

please can I use this story as it is a great lesson learner