English TVI Blog
Response to Self-immunization with Snake Venom
This post is a response by Dr. Sean Bush of East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine to the preceding article, “Self-immunization with Snake Venom.”
Self-immunization with Snake Venom
Few topics in venomous herpetology generate debate as contentious as that around self-immunization. The subject is so divisive and the opposing opinions hurled with such ferocity that it’s the only topic I specifically called out as having “worn out its welcome” in the posting guidelines for The Venom Interviews group on Facebook.
Why Use Scientific Names?
Common names don't always tell you much about a snake. I mean, blind snake are (more or less) blind, lined snake are lined, and smooth green snakes are smooth and green, but other names, like lyre snake, queen snake, massasauga, Kirtland's snake, and Dekay's snake don't tell you anything about those animals, even if you know who Jared Kirtland or James De Kay were. (Patronyms are especially unhelpful.) Forest flame snakes have nothing to do with fire-bellied snakes, and good luck figuring out what a dragon snake is.
The Most Common Myths About Coral Snakes
Those of us who work with venomous snakes get a lot of questions about coral snakes, and we find ourselves correcting the same misunderstandings over and over again. The purpose of this post is to address some of the common myths about these colorful little snakes.
Antivenom Should be Required for Private Keepers
Antivenom is not a luxury. It is the necessary safety net that should be REQUIRED to keep venomous snakes, especially those not native to the place where they are being kept. It is not a mystical potion that is unobtainable by mere mortals. I am going to address several excuses why people say they can't get it here.
Are Hognose Snakes Venomous?
The debate in online reptile forums over whether hognose snakes should be considered venomous is surprisingly common. Quite a lot of the debate seems to stem from a need among reptile enthusiasts to reassure the general public (and sometimes each other) that hognose snakes present no threat to humans, which is correct. There is a widespread concern — and not without justification — that if hognose snakes are labeled "venomous," people may be more likely to kill them and lawmakers may be more likely to place restrictions on keeping them. Both of these things are, unfortunately, probably true.