Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje) venom extraction at KRZ

[RocknRollHammerHead]

sorry my ignorance but what is KRZ?

[kyreptilezoo]

@RocknRollHammerHead Kentucky Reptile Zoo

[redwoodhill]

It amazes me with a snake that such a nasty reputation as the Egyptian Cobra, how reluctant they seem to bite down.

[BitisNajaLover]

the cobra at 1:55 or so, had some very beautiful markings, it almost look piebald, was it?

[kyreptilezoo]

No, its not piebald, though looking at it again I can see why you thought it might be. This species is very speckly- they have lots of lighter and darker speckles throughout the body. Its hard to see in the light of this video, but what is showing up are some of the lighter splotches.

[BitisNajaLover]

@kyreptilezoo either way, its a very good looking snake, egyptians are probably my favorite african Naja, but coral cobras take non-true cobra,

[jcraigshelton]

Never in a million years could I do what you do. This must be some sort of calling that people get to handle such venomous creatures. I would imagine that the compensation for doing this would surprise us. Excellent work you do there every day. 5 stars!!!!

[crowofdeath2]

did he lose his finger from a bite or just a bad accident?

[kyreptilezoo]

Index finger lost to a weight bench.

[crowofdeath2]

o man yeah i know a few people that happined too

[dalektaliban]

hope you didnt hurt the fella

[kyreptilezoo]

None of our snakes are hurt. Alot have been on the venom production line for over 20 years.

[ToonandBBfan]

Cleopatra supposedly killed herself with one of these.

[kyreptilezoo]

Yep, you are correct.

[jondesbrow]

killed herself, or was killed? like she commited suicide? or was it accidental? thanks

[ToonandBBfan]

It was suicide, she tested a variety of snakes out on the slaves to see which one killed the fastest.

She then knew that in North Africa, the Egyptian cobra was the best choice.

I'm no expert but I think that about 15-20 minutes after being bitten you would be immobilsed (unable to walk or speak) and probably dead with an hour and half or less.

Thanks

[jondesbrow]

wow thank you, a serious and intelligent answer for once. Usually I get inane teenage ramblings.

[gaz691]

very well skilled snake handeler, expertly done

[PyroSyndrome]

awesomeness, i live in ky and i have a copper :)

[smittysk8365]

Is there any snake at the KRZ that if bitten by it, you cant get the antivenim in KY?

[kyreptilezoo]

We have the antivenom for all the snakes we have- at least those for which an antivenom is made. The antivenom that is foreign has to be imported- there are no US suppliers that you can buy it from.

[kyreptilezoo]

These certainly are dangerous, but many neurotoxic snakes can cause death rapidly, and any snakebite can cause death in 10 minutes if the victim has an anaphylactic reaction. You are right that they are more toxic than a king, but so are many many other species. Each bite is an individual event, it is impossible to make this type of generalization. No snake always kills in an hour or so many minutes.

[kyreptilezoo]

Not trying to be rude, but your comments imply things are set in stone when in reality they are quite variable.

[chiconspiricy]

Drop for drop, Naja haje doesn't touch any of the Oxyuranus. Don't forget the Coastal and PNG Taipans, which have more toxic venom than the Egyptian Cobra, longer fangs, and strike MUCH faster. Watching people handle those, you never see anyone put a hand on a Taipan like they do for cobras.

[gnarley123321]

still that is not the most venomous or dangerous. The indland taipan is the most venomous on th ld50 and the black mamba is considered the most dangerous

[Chris9017]

The bite of a King Cobra kills 6 times faster than that of the mamba, and the King Cobra is very aggressive, and more unpredictable than the Mamba.

[misiuwata]

your are talking crap man. do you hold venomous snakes?

[donnylad73]

seems that the snake would rather go away rather than attack

[Utoobreptiles]

sweet first to comment. But it must so cool to interact with venomous snakes.