Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
The Jacksonville Herp Society organized an outing to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories/Reptile Discovery Center in Deland, FL. They specialize in venom extraction for various species both native and exotic.
Apparently it is only one of two labs in the U.S. that the public can view venom extraction. For those interested here is a link to a news story on them from October 2008
It was a really neat experience, and a there was a few white knuckle moments watching them extract from a Pakistan Cobra. Those things are FAST! I have to say that the Monacled Cobras are gorgeous, he also extracted from an albino monacled as well...stupid camera, they didn't turn out very well.
Okay, now onto the photos. The good camera ran out of juice, so the actual extraction photos aren't the greatest.
Here are some of the snakes on exhibit.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851360
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237850929
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237850954
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237850972
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851009
And now to the venom extraction program.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851063
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851116
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851134
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851151
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851183
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851205
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1237851234
It was a really awesome experience.
Cheers!
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
Very cool! Thanks for sharing
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
That would be my dream job.
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
HEY! Fellow jaxherper! I was there too. My pictures aren't that great, but I took a TON of them. Here you go.
http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/k...ediafilter=all
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
How amazing to have gotten that experience. I'm green with envy!
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
I went as well,
Here's some pics I took.
A white cottonmouth, one of only 3 in existance.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/IMG_3718.jpg
A gaboon viper on display
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/IMG_3659.jpg
Handling the king cobra(14 ft long?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/IMG_3720.jpg
A real treat!! A banded sea krait!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/IMG_3722.jpg
I uploaded two videos as well.
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
Sweet pics, i wanna go!!!!
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
AMAZING!!
I want to go so bad...
Re: Visit to Medtoxin Venom Laboratories (DUW)
Wow that looks like a great visit. Might be a fun thing to organize during Daytona. I cant imagine it being that far.
Thanks for sharing.