Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Haha...Alright folks, lower your blood pressure, it was only a joke! Hey, but it got your attention didn't it?!? Just kidding.

Anyways, I am trying to find info about the venom of a Taipan. Knowing that they are probably the most deadly snake on the planet, I was trying to find out if the main problem with Taipans is the level of Toxicity or the quantity injected? I tried doing google searches but couldnt really come up with anything like I was thinking of.

Does anyone happen to have any good articles or websites they can refer me to?

Much appreciated...and please dont flame me, the subject was ONLY a joke.

Best Wishes,

Chris
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/
They have some interesting info on coastals and fierce snakes. Try Dr Fry'site too.
Cheers
Lat

Lat,

Thanks, I will be sure to take a look at those. Thanks for your time.

Best Wishes,

Chris

>>http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/
>>They have some interesting info on coastals and fierce snakes. Try Dr Fry'site too.
>>Cheers
>>Lat
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

no problem Chris, BTW a level 5 containment room with bio-mechanical arms and remote access will ensure your safety
Cheers
B

NP
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

3 years ago, guys previous experience included a corn snake and a ball python.
Had just aquired a black mamba and a 'black taipan' as he called it.
That lasted all but 5 days before I heard from him again...

Last year got one on an East African Green Mamba. That subject line is all too common....

Try a book search for "Taipan, worlds most dangerous snake"
It is an excellent book and has some incredible case history and personal bite stories.
Regards,
-----
It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com

Quite frankly....that doesn't surprise me at all. It's really a shame. Thank goodness for the internet, huh?

Thanks for the recommendation for the book. I will certainly look into that.

Best Wishes,

Chris
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

>>I was trying to find out if the main problem with Taipans is the level of Toxicity or the quantity injected?

Yes...

"Main Problems with taipans" (in no particular order):
Venom Toxicity
Venom Quantity
Speed
Agility
Attitude

The first two mean you're in more trouble if you are bitten. The last three mean you're more likely TO BE bitten if you mess with one.

They don't have the climbing tendencies or ground speed of a black mamba, the size of a king cobra or the strike speed of a gaboon viper but they beat all three in all other categories,

That is certainly a VERY dangerous combination. Now, do you have any info as to the toxicity level of the snake venom? I know there are certain "types" of venom, but I am interested to find out how one becomes more toxic than another, even if it is the same "type".

Thanks for your help!

Chris
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

First off, go here: http://www.venomdoc.com/ Click on "snake LD50" on the left side of the screen, then go to the subcutanious section (most appropriate for most snakes). LD50 is a reverse...lower numbers are more powerful.

Here youcan find some discussion including vebon yields: http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/avruweb/Taipans.htm

Meanwhile, a note on my last reply. There's been so much discussion recently about the COASTAL taipan (the one actually called the taipan in OZ) that I assumed that was the one you were talking about. If you meant the INLAND taipan (known locally as the fierce snake among other names, which has the stronger venom) I know a lot less about their behavior, but get the feeling from what I've seen on TV that they are less agressive and possibly less agile.

If you just reach in and grab it they usually will help you by inserting its fangs in your arm for extra support as you lift it... they are nice that way.

yes that was a joke.
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Well you know, I tried that one. He would bite, but for some reason wouldnt hold on long enough for me to pull him out. The guy I bought him from gave me all kinds of great information! Like their venom is like a bee sting, and they only grow to the size of their enclosure(got a 5 gallon tank ALL Cozy for him), and they only need fed three times a year!

People should by from pet stores more, often....That's Service!

Chris
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

np
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Some of the closest calls I have heard from other people came during the "unpacking phase" of bringing a venomous home. Things range from venomous snakes escaping an inadequately secured/knotted bag to deli cups opening that were not put in a bag.....the real professionals know the proper ways to pack venomous. But taking those same snakes out of bags/containers requires an EXTREME amount of attention to detail, thoughtfulness, common sense and utilizing instruments to serve as extensions of your hands (various hooks, forceps, tongs, etc.). These animals are stressed and are though disoriented, which can be an advantage for the keepr, can still provide very tense moments. I can think of one instance of a "near miss" when unpacking a large venomous shipment in which a vendor threw in an extra venomous "gift" (with good intentions) but failing to tell me about it. After getting the snakes out, I noticed an empty bag (with what I thought was nothing inside since all snakes that I ordered were accounted for)....I picked up the bag with no caution at all when I realized that there as indeed a snake inside; and a very toxic one at that (for which I won't provide that in order to keep this somewhat confidential). You can never be too careful.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Haha...Alright folks, lower your blood pressure, it was only a joke! Hey, but it got your attention didn't it?!? Just kidding.
>>
>>Anyways, I am trying to find info about the venom of a Taipan. Knowing that they are probably the most deadly snake on the planet, I was trying to find out if the main problem with Taipans is the level of Toxicity or the quantity injected? I tried doing google searches but couldnt really come up with anything like I was thinking of.
>>
>>Does anyone happen to have any good articles or websites they can refer me to?
>>
>>Much appreciated...and please dont flame me, the subject was ONLY a joke.
>>
>>Best Wishes,
>>
>>Chris
>>-----
>>Chris Law
>>U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
>>Herpetoculture Element Representative
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I thought I read that someone brought him a krait bagged like it was nonvenomoue instead of in a box like he asked for with venomous.

Dr. Slowinski died due to accidently mis-identifying a krait as a harmless mimic species. By all accounts I read, the snake was not bagged, but picked up by hand. He realized his mistake as soon as it bit him, but by then it was too late, and within 18 hours he was dead.

Joe was killed by a neonate Many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus)which was captured, bagged and ACCIDENTLY presented to Joe as a krait mimic. He received a VERY superficial bite to the finger/fingernail when he reached into the bag to examine the snake. An hour later he was symptomatic, as I later learned he fought it for about 24 hours before passing. A serious loss to the herpetological community and a reminder to take nothing for granted.
Pez
Brett

Here's the sad story...

Al

Joe Slowinski

-----
You can take the snake out of the jungle but you can't take the jungle out of the snake.