Newbie Questions

[Mike177]

Hey,
I just had some questions that i was thinking about the other day. and what better place to get a answer then here!!!

1. What makes the king cobra different from other cobras that it is placed into its own genus and not in naja?

2. What is the differences between the venoms in snakes from the bitis genus?? (mainly gaboons, rhinos and puff adders)

3. I have been thinking about buying a new book on snakes after i finish The Encyclopedia Of Snakes is The Biology Of Pit Vipers good???

Thanks in advance for any and all answers!

[Gregg M]

I am not a cobra expert, but I can somewhat answer your bitis question if you were alittle more spacific...... There are many differences....... And there are many things the same...... Are you asking which is more venomous, or dangerous, or which gives the highest venom yield???

[Matt]

3. The biology of the pit vipers is an awesome collection....but you have to understand, that its a collection of scientific articles. It is not just a bedtime good read book....the info is great, but its a research based book....which is great if you like that stuff, but if your looking for a book that is nice to just read about pit vipers, this is not it....some of it gets pretty intense

[SCReptiles]

3. I have been thinking about buying a new book on snakes after i finish The Encyclopedia Of Snakes is The Biology Of Pit Vipers good???
Both of the books you mentioned are good, but I would suggest Biology of vipers (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/097201540X/qid=1060709843/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-1521512-4768732?v=glance&s=books) by Gordon Schuett. Gordon is a friend of ours and the world’s foremost expert on pit vipers and perhaps on vipers in general. This guy knows his stuff. His book is basically a test book covering all aspects of vipers. If you are only going to have one book, I would make it this one.

[JD@reptiles]

i think the size of the king cobra is why its in a different genus. as you know they are the longest VENOMOUS snake in the world. and i dont think naja's get bigger than 6-8 feet.

Jordan

[SCReptiles]

i think the size of the king cobra is why its in a different genus.
It’s definitely true that the King is larger then the Najas, but I don’t think size is given any consideration in the genus. For instance, the Ball and the Burm are both Pythons.

[reverendsterlin]

if you want to learn venom differences look at LD50 charts, you'll have to do your own research on top of that to find the different average venom release of different species combine the 2 (write it up and put it out for us lazy folk) to get a good idea of the real picture. Animals can have very potent venom bit be unable to release much, or milder venom but release a bunch, most of us go by word of mouth. The naja tend to run LD50 of .13-.29 the King Cobra compares at .35 but I would probably rather the naja tags me because I think he'll put in less venom than the king cobra. LD50= milligrams for toxin necessary to kill 50% of 1 kilogram of mice. So as can be seen the naja with .13 is almost 3 times as lethal as the king, BUT the king may put 5 times as much venom in the bite nullifying thoughts of safety.

[ETET]

I am not expertise about cobra although I used to keep them, I think the genus base on anatomical, morphological, nowadays base on DNA profile....etc. Biology of pit vipers is a very good book with lots of scientific research, but the book been for a while, the other one Biology of vipers which is new should be good too.....

ETET

[cobraman]

I would highly recommend "Snakes of Medical Importance (Asia-Pacific Region)" by National University of Singapore (ISBN: 9971-62-217-3). This is one of the most informative books in my library in terms of its comprehensive study of the snakes and venoms from yonder.
Blessings
Ray Hunter

[Mike177]

Are you asking which is more venomous, or dangerous, or which gives the highest venom yield???

That was part of the question but i was relay wondering about the hamotoxic and nurotoxic components. i know that they are manly homotoxic but what is there nurotoxic capability's (if any) also what is the differences in symptoms in bite victims??

if your looking for a book that is nice to just read about pit vipers, this is not it....some of it gets pretty intense

ya i have flipped through it a few times at reptile expos. i like knowing about all the aspects but i am not the best reader in the world so i usually like to just read about 20-30 a day.


(thanks for all the helpfully answers and recommendations of book reviews)

[JD@reptiles]

Originally posted by SCReptiles
It’s definitely true that the King is larger then the Najas, but I don’t think size is given any consideration in the genus. For instance, the Ball and the Burm are both Pythons.

and najas and ophiophagus are both elapids. the king cobra also has unique mating behavior, which i find really cool. but other than that and their size, i dont see anything that seperates them from najas. but i guess it can be a lot of differen't things, and hidden details. sorry i cant help any more

Jordan