Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What would be your main reason behind wanting a venomoid?
Is it because you want to be able to hold it? Is it the safety issue? Spousal interference? Laziness, not having to deal with a "hot"?

I am just curious as to the motivation. If you read my post below I think as a child I wanted a venomoid only because I was misinformed and didn't think of the consequences of my actions as do most children, coupled with the fact my mother would allow me to have a rattlesnake if it wasn't venomous.

Please help me out understanding the venomoid fan's point of view from your perspective whether you are an adult or child.

Thanks-

Brett

Brett,

I'm a member of a Venomoid Yahoo group where you do not see many posts, but whenever someone posts anything it deals with venomoids only. Unfortunately, KS's venomoid forums attracks a great number of individuals who love to troll around and respond to posts using sarcasm as their main weapon. I think that's one of the main reason why many venomoid keepers choose to stay away from this forum.

On the other hand, I do the opposite. I like to read everyone's responses and original posts regardless for what the have to say or ask. I do not have the priviledge of owning venomous reptiles simply because I live in an area where they are prohibited. I was exposed to venomous and venomoids through a friend who keeps both. I think you know the rest of my story ...

In response to your question, I think you will find numerous unique answers to why people want or keep devenomized snakes. Some of the reasons might be not appropiate and as some of you might said, they send out the wrong message. Others probably just do it because of safety reasons. I can list a few for you Brett:

1) the so called "Educational program". I do not know the stats on this answer, but i'm pretty sure very few purchase venomoids for this reason alone, but many use it as an excuse so they do not have to explain the real reason. However, it is a valid reason in my opinion for those who truly use these animals for educational programs.

2) I think properly handling an unaltered venomous snake for someone who is starting the hobby could result in unnecessary, if not fatal, accidents. I know someone who has a venomoid monocle for about 6 years and he loves his snake. I think the terrarium he has might be way too big, but he wanted the best environment for his albino cobra. The snake is beautiful, but very aggressive. He does not handle the snake at all since the walk in cage is just huge. He goes inside to clean it and sometimes move stuff around without any fear, but always careful not to let the 5' elapid bite him for no reason.

3) when you own venomoids, you don't have to spend money keeping anti-venom and replace your supply once the serum expires. That itself saves a person some money.

4) For someone who "might" say they got a venomoid to study the specie up close. They will definetly have the ability to interact more closely.

5) Safety, safety, and safety. Full adenectomy/ductectomy surgical procedure is effective. Of course, some people might say they can grow back, but even if they do..do you honestly think the entire venom glands and "both" ducts will grow back 100%? If anything grows back it will be a partial grow which most likely yields to a bite with less venom. Still a very dangerous situation, but come on... I would love to see the ratio of total venomoids in the private sector and the amount of cases in which these animals have actually gotten someone? The only article I have read was in London on a cobra that only had a ductectomy done. I would love to see more articles about this terrible accidents.

6) Someone wants to hold a cobra. Their choice is either get a hot one and try not to get bitten or get a venomoid. I'm sure there are people who just get the venomoids because they want to hold them. Is it wrong?

7) Some people actually find the topic about "venomoids" interesting. I like to call them "devenomized" snakes. I'm probably one of very few who is pro-devenomized snakes and i don't even one.

There are probably more reasons, but I hope this gives you one perspective Brett.

Best Regards,

Christian G. Reina

DEVENOMIZED.COM

_____

oversized logo

Edited on July 8, 2005 at 21:57:47 by phwyvern.

I wanted to edit my post to fix some mistakes..oh well, i guess you can't

I have to vouch for the effectiveness of a adenectomy. If done by a veterinarian the chances of the snake becoming venomous again are superbly minimal. Testicles don't grow back after a neuter. Neither do ovaries, eyeballs, and other amputations.

Increasing the odds of regrowth would be a ductectomy (leaving the gland in place), and species where the gland is so involved with other facial structures that 100% removal cannot be garanteed. In my opinino a vet should give out a certificate of devenomization just as he/she gives out neuter certificates. They never say that your dog is 99% spayed/neutered do they? Because this procedure isn't routinely done the vet organization does not require such certificates.

i dont own a venomoid but i would be happy to purchase one if they where available with eyelash or other small arborial vipers.my reasoning is that i have a 3 year old son,who i already have a hard time keeping out of my chondro tanks.i would never keep a hot snake in the same house as my child and if the only way i can own one of my dream snakes is to alter it to make it safer,then thats what i would do.and is regards to your"what if the suggery didnt take,ect,,i get robbed and sold a hot instead.bla bla bla....well,my responce is that i have kept and bred snakes for the past 15 years.i think i know how to tell if my snake is deadly or not.another one i love is,well the snake still has teeth and can take out your sons eye.well so does my dog who also happens to be altered surgicaly to allow it to be less aggressive towards humans(neutered),as well as over 75 percent of all the pets americans keep in their house.i think the surgery is a precaution ,not a perfect solution,but what is.if your only concern about the surgery is that it is inhumane,well i say if thats what you think,then you shouldnt keep animals in cages period.i dont think the snake crawled into your house and into a glass prison on its own.i eat meat,i own pets,i wear leather,i go fishing,and ill sure as hell remove a venom gland on a snake if it would save my sons life.from what i have seen,after the surgery,most of these animals go on living and eating normally.one of the biggest signs of a reptile in stress,is going off food.all the people i know who own venomoids,say that their snakes happily feed on their own and never have had to be force fed.

Please contact me and I can answer more specific questions.

Best Regards,

Christian G. Reina
DEVENOMIZED.COM