In this day and age of sue happy folks and liable suits, many organizations bringing in reptile education programs will not allow venomous snakes (unless they have been altered....venomoids). There are many issues in which insurance companies will not take on this type of risk. But, I don't think it is a valid reason to force a snake to become crippled. Our wildlife center had many venomous herps (and only one venomoid that came to us via a confiscation...this animal has always had respiratory/mouth/bacterial problems probably due to a botched surgery). I can think of only a couple of occasions in which we were NOT allowed to visit a school or some other organization with our real venomous herps. We follow very strict safety procedures and NEVER free handle a venomous snake in front of the public. Certain venomous snakes are tubed so that the public, in a controlled setting, can have the opportunity to touch a real venomous snake in a safe setting.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

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