The Shelby Thread :)

[Will0W783]

Rob nailed it- I do not keep antivenim on hand. However, the Philadelphia zoo keeps several Naja species, and provides antivenin for cobra bites around the tri-state (PA, NJ, DE) area as well as MD. I do not intend to be bitten, but I do need to know my options if the worst were ever to occur. I have a plan in place- I keep a binder with a species account, treatment protocol, and description of symptoms/progression for each species I own, along with a copy of my medical records and insurance cards in the snake room. This binder is always accessible, and John and I both know where it is, so that, if one of us were to take a bite, we can grab the binder and rush to the hospital.

Generally speaking, for the keepers who do keep antivenin, they can use it. They have to give it to themselves though. You can ask the medics to help you administer your own medicine. It sometimes can be a fight though.


A vial of antivenin may cost $50-250. A typical bite for most species requires 4-10 vials, sometimes more. Furthermore, once you get through all the paperwork required to import, license, and store your own antivenin, you are upwards of $1000 per vial. The lifespan of a vial is around 3 years. So, you'd need to have at least 10 vials on hand, say it was $1000 per vial, you're already in it $10,000. And you'd have to renew that every 3-5 years, so you are guaranteeing you will spend a minimum of $40-60,0000 over the snake's expected ~20-year lifespan to keep antivenin. A hospital trip for a bite might cost you $40-100,000 but if you are careful and take proper precautions, you should not be bitten.