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!

Very cool! Thanks for sharing

That would be my dream job.

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

How amazing to have gotten that experience. I'm green with envy!

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.

Those are awesome!!

Sweet pics, i wanna go!!!!

AMAZING!!

I want to go so bad...

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.