Who has the most Venomous Snake ?

[BIG SCOTT]

I'm pretty board today and will most likely spend my entire day on this website so i I was just wondering who had what kind of venomous snakes and how their fascination with venomous snakes began. I occassionally have some wild caught Venomous snakes that I observe for a few days and release. Whem i get a bit older I have considered obtaining one of those neotropical Rattle snakes as they look awesome!

[reverendsterlin]

I at this time have 4 WBD, a blacktailed rattler, and a gaboon. In the past I have kept Naja k.k. , copperheads, adders, and a couple of rear fangs. Growing up in Texas exposed me to several types of venomous natives and found their effiency of hunting methods fascinating.

[cobraman]

My guess would have to be Bill Haast (Miami Serpentarium Labs) in Punta Gorda, FL. Because Bill does venom production, he has many types of hots. I wholesale reptiles (many venomous) and currently have over 350 venomous snakes, about 30 different types.

[SilverTongue]

OMG Tell me that is a venomoid or is he just not the brightest light on the Christmas tree

[backdraft1320]

him not the brightest crayon in the box, by the cheezy smile and a look at his arms he looks kinda accident prone...hes definatly not steve erwin type.

[cobraman]

Sorry, You're both WRONG! (Dave: Psoriasis is genetic, having nothing to do with accidents). I won't feed into this any further. Be Blessed! Ray

[sophia]

Psoriasis.. ok. We had thought maybe they were marks from self-venomization... I know a lot of the Native Americans have done this as well as people from India who handle the Cobras etc. for religious ceremonies; for purposes of the body building antibodies to resist the venom; i.e. to develop an immunity over time.

Jon

[FacultyX]

Hi Ray (cobraman). I met you at the Hamburg Venomous show last weekend. As I told you, I,m not into free handling hots, but you are still alive, so that is a good indication that you are doing something right, and that how you handle snakes is no reflection on your intellegence (as some may want to imply). You mentioned that you used to work at Miami Serpentarium with Bill Haast, and that you also self immunize with 6 or 7 types of venoms. Not everyone knows that, so I guess you must expect those types of reactions to your pics (but I think you handle it well). Your Pics are alarming to some, but you're alright with me. Keep on keeping on. Fred

[cobraman]

Fred: Thank you! Yes, I am quite used to that reaction (as is Mr. Haast, who will be 92 years old this Dec.31, so he must be doing something right also), and I understand and respect other herprers opinions. Truth is I really should not post pics like that anyway, and leave that kind of thing for my web site, out of respect for others. Thanks Again, Be Blessed, Ray

Jon: Actually you are partly correct in that I do self immunize with certain venoms, but it leaves no marks (it just tears up your liver if you are not careful). Blessings, Ray

[backdraft1320]

I appologize as well it was an ofF the wall reaction to the pic .
I strongly disagree with freehandling. I hope I did not offend you.

[sophia]

Hey Ray,

I hear that, about the liver that is! As for the posting of pics... well this IS a venomous forum... <G> In my opinion, the venomous are THE most beautiful and fascinating of all snake species. A good reflection of the way nature works, usually that which is most beautiful and interesting is coincidentally the most deadly.

Hots are WAY out of my league; however - I respect those that have the wherewithall to handle them - especially those doing antivenin research; as their work saves lives of countless victims worldwide. Living in a state much as yourself; chock full of venomous snakes... that's a good feeling!

Great pics, love to see more. Any Gaboon pix??? <G> I love that snake...

Jon

[sophia]

Ray,
Reading your posts about the liver damage, I thought maybe I could pass something along that would help that is used in Germany, and we have access to it here.

Milk Thistle extract taken two to three times daily in dropperful doses will help regenerate and repair damaged livers. I know it works, I'm living proof.

Just thought I'd pass that along, because if you're self dosing with venom, it's safe to use daily and you could avoid the damaging effects.

Tay

[cobraman]

Thanks Jon. I will try to send more pics, meanwhile if you like check out my site WWW.EXOTICSRUS.COM then go into "cobraman's diary". There are a few pics there, as well as one with a 5' Gaboon. Yes the Gaboons are one of my favorates as well.
Blessings, and peace, Ray

[sophia]

Gorgeous Mamba! Yep, I'm at your site right now... <G> Are you by chance coming to the Carolina Reptile Show at the end of the month? We're looking for 1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas...

Jon

[cobraman]

Yes, I do plan on going to that show. I only have one Rainbow boa that is a little dark. The one I have is a male. I may be getting some more in soon.
Be Blessed, ray

[sophia]

okeydoke...

Jon

[SilverTongue]

Well hmm I still think freehandeling HOTS is not all that bright. But that is jut my opinion.
What is worse is you posted a pic of freehandeling a HOT on a public forum where people of all ages frequent. I am glad you are building an immunity to the venom, but there are tons of people here would would try to copy weather experienced or not. That is just the way things work. Some people are not all that bright.
I think HOTS are wonderful and beautiful hehe in their cages :) I am truely appreacitive of all the work some HOT keepers are puting in for making antivenom.
Sorry if I offend, it is not my intention. Just speaking from the experience of a mother with a 5yr old herper-et

[cobraman]

Fear not, you can never offend me. As I said before, I am more than used to opinions as such (and much worse), and frankly as I said before, I agree with you to a great extent. As parants we all try to protect our children to the best of our ability, and in this particular case the best protection is 1) not alowing our children to be expoed to these types of snakes (and I'm not trying to be funny, but you would be suprised at how many irresponcible parents I know of who fail at this), and 2) educating our children, as soon as they reach the age of proper understanding, about the dangers of even becoming involved with venomous snakes at all. Of course I would never condone a child to run out and free handle a 13 king cobra. Nor would I ever condone them to do a fraction of the trash they are exposed to on many of the tv programs they have access to (including some of the very cartoons you MAY allow your 5 year old to view). We teach our children responciblity, and pray to the good Lord that they retain and govern their lives and make decisions accordingly, but unfortunately, we are completely powerless to rose tint their worlds and keep them safe from this screwed up world we live in forever. I pray to God that no child has access to a 13 foot king cobra, such as the one pictured, (if so, there is a worse problem in that home than my posting of that pic), and further that no child grows up to be irresponcible or not safety minded with their life because of a photo that I allowed to be taken and posted (which has more to it than meets the eye - such as my experience, and self immunization, etc.) OK, let me get off this soap box, and get on with the fun in this site as it was intended. Know that I do respect your opinion, and will never be offended by anything anyone will ever say or write to or about me.
God Bless You Abundantly.
Ray

[FacultyX]

Ray, just promise her that yu won't post your photos on the disney channel or anywhere else that little children are when they are surfing the web. You learned from Bill Haast, did anyone ever accuse him of endagering the very lives of kids by the way he catches cobras (with is exactly how you do it)??? That's how he works, and you work the way you do. Some of us are interested in the way you and others work, and enjoy the pics that visitors take. Please don't stop sharing with those of us (however few that may be) who are interested in your work, and the pictures taken. Those not interested can simply skip right over your posts (instead of taking the time to post disrespectful personal attacks on you and your intellegence by stating or implying that you are not very "bright"). Look forward to seeing you at the Daytona, FL show next weekend.
FRED

[cobraman]

OK, Fred. Thank you. Let's let that issue die, shall we? I will be in Daytona at the expo only on Sunday, so if you are there please stop me and say hello.
Be Blessed,
Ray

[cobraman]

I have a New Guinea Taipan (S.canni), which I realize does not hold a candle to the Inland taipan in terms of toxicity. I also have a 7' Black Mamba, which is not so high on the drop-for=drop list, but is considered the most dangerous of all snakes (and I can see why). I also have 2 Indian Kraits, a Papuan Black snake, Indian cobra, Egyptian Cobras, European Vipers, Fer-de-lance, Green Mambas, Hagen's Vipers, Bush Vipers, Puff Adders, and a Florida Ring-neck snake!
Be Blessed
ray

[BIG SCOTT]

Hey Cobraman,
I thought I would let you know that I think you sound very intelligent and if you have 350 hot snakes and you free handle them like that you must be doing something right. I usually pin their heads or use snake tongs. I don't think I would ever consider free handling them as i am not giving myseld antivenin shots. Anyway I thought I would tell you their are people out their who you didn't offend with the picture.

[SilverTongue]

LOL I wasnt offend LOL I just found it not to be a good idea of posting a pick like that on a forum where youngsters and the sorts are learning how to treat and handle reptiles and amphibians. Otherwise I thought it was VERY COOL ok :p

[Cidah]

I actually liked the pics, anyone that is old enough to purchase hots is hopefully old enough to know better than to free handle them. Anyways, there's not really anything bad to say about it when everytime you turn on Animal Planet Steve Irwin is holding a cobra or puff adder.. Just my opinion.

[cobraman]

Thanks, Big Scott. Actually I DO use a hook, pin stick grabbers, etc. for most hots. I would never consider free handling a mamba, taipan, or even a rattlesnake for that matter. Cobras react and strike completely different than most other venomous snakes, so it is easier to get out of their way. Even Mr. Haast has and uses quite a few hooks and such. It's basicly only cobras that I can get away with that with, and I don't always take the chance. When I was doing more venom production it was much quicker to simply grab a cobra than to pin it. And there is always a snake hook within reach anyway. Blah blah blah. But thanks for your post.
peace, Ray

[SilverTongue]

hehe how many of you hots keepers have teenage kids??? I dont care how responsible they are....nuff said

I was just making a point not trying to piss everyone off. I have no personal opinion of cobraman. Just the photo. I am not going to defend myself anymore. I will just not read the thread like was suggested earlier.

Sorry if i ticked anyone off, but it is in my nature :)

[cobraman]

I have children 3, 10, and 14 years old, who are very respectful of venomous snakes, however I, being a responcible parant, not only taught them due respect, but I also have taken every precaution to make sure that there is virtually NO WAY they could get within 10 feet of a venomous snake. That is MY responciblity, not the kid's. Anyway, Silvertounge, there is no need to have t defend yourself, as I value and respect your opinions and input as much as anyone else's. Maybe we could change the topic so as not to offend anyone or run anyone off. Be Very Blessed, Ray

[SilverTongue]

OK so I lied hehe I agree I love this forum and the people here are great. So how about them uhhh hmm (enter football teems name here) :)

[FacultyX]

WOW! What a smart@#*!!!. If you're so miserable on this forum, why not go somewhere else like disney or something, and stop filling up the space with childish silliness. Cobraman seens to be very respectful of your feelings and does not fill his posts with sarcastic remarks. Why can't you be equally respectful towards people who don't view the world through rose tinted glasses??
Man, Whatever!!!

[SilverTongue]

Are we reading the same posts? Or are you just talking from your rear??

[sophia]

Hehe Silver, dontcha know, Assumption is the mother of all F***ups! Prime examples seem to be abundant.

I rather like your sense of humor and direct manner of expression myself and in having said so, I'll turn another cliché phrase before leaving.

Opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one, and sometimes, they all STINK.

Then again perception unlike hindsight is not always 20/20 either. Still, that's no reason for folks to get their panties in a wad about a conversation occuring between two unknown and yet obviously reasonable adults.

But then again, that's my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, ....well folks should, I just reiterated it here (EG)

Sincerely foncused!

Tay

[SilverTongue]

:)

[FacultyX]

Silver tounge, you seem to really enjoy showing everyone your stupidity. You ought to be careful, there might be little kids reading this and learning to be an idiot (which canbe be more dangerous than looking at cobraman's life threatening pics). Are you sure you are the mother of a 5 year old, or are you really the 5 year old. You childish posts are indicative of the latter. Dp you have mommy's permission to be on the internet this late at night? Mommy needs to teach you some decency.

[FacultyX]

oh yeah, awesome website!!! maybe you could put more time into that instead of picking arguements on a forum. "just my opinion"

[sophia]

I find it odd that an 'adult' could go and get all hung up on something as inconsequential as words and pitch a two post 'tantrum' all the while calling someone else an idiot. By doing so, you exhibit the very behavior you claim to abhor.

It's not the 'language' you should be worried about being exhibited before children, it should be your over zealous reaction to something as simple as a disagreement between adults who were if you had 'read' the entire conversational thread; making their peace with one another quite well without your interferance. In polite society we call this type of knee-jerk reaction, zealotry.

By the by, children learn to be idiots from the examples closest to them and by those person's reactions to idiocy. If you are calm, understanding, patient, involved and vocal in a positive way with regard to what your children view and partake of, then you don't have to worry about others 'teaching' them bad behaviors, they'll follow your examples. In other words, your children's lives and upbringing are no one's responsibility but your own and finger pointing in front of them is going to lead to their becoming irresponsible, impractical, confused adults and you'll have no one to blame but the irresponsible parents who weren't looking over their little shoulders to see what they were into on the net.

Tay (and I 'am' a parent, so I do know of what I speak and this is the last I have to say on this issue, for me this thread is dead)

[Shane Tesser]

I see that the thread moderator has not stepped in, so i being a moderator will. I think everyone has made very valid points here. We will all not agree with each other all the time, and really isn't that what makes us unique as individuals anyway. We at SsnakesS pride ourselves and strive to be a very family oriented site. Family by the definition that all of our members we see as one big family, and as im sure everyone is aware, families from time to time argue. And arguing can be good, but when it reaches to the point where hateful words are going to be passed, nothing positive can ever come out of it. This is what i forsee coming next here. So before we all say something we may later regret, lets all stop this argument here....accept each others views, even if we don't agree with them....and get back to enjoying a site that we created opposite of all the sites out there where members feel it necessary to fight with each other. Remember that each an everyone is entitled to their view, and as well, we want to make sure that every individual feels that he or she is always welcome here....Home. Thanks for reading. Shane.

[SilverTongue]

And always look on the bright side of life **Whistle**Whistle**

:)

Please tell me atleast one of ye can reconize that one!

[Shane Tesser]

Lol....you got it.

[BIG SCOTT]

Great post shane

[cobraman]

Very Nicely put! I'm very sorry I ever posted that pic in this forum. It should have been posted in the gallery (where pics belong). i was new to this site, but I think I got the hang of it now. Peace,
Ray