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.

That cobra is a monster. The white copperhead is super interesting.. anybody get a full body shot?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

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.

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Im with ya on that one Raul, I would love to go and think it would be great to throw that one together on Friday before the show maybe?

Very very amazing, I have always wanted to go to a facility like this....

What kind of snake is the green gorgeous one?

Hi,

I'd like to know that too. :)

It looks like these found through google images;

http://www.paddleasia.com/images/pha...-pit-viper.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/doodlebugger/image/49661405


dr del

You sure there are only three leucistic cottonmouths? I seen a guy selling a few babies several years ago, and it wasn't even his first season breeding them.

did they say what the other venom lab that is open to the public is? i know the kentucky reptile zoo is open up for the public to see venom extraction.

Carl and Denisse at the Medtoxin Venom Lab are great people. We took a tour of their facility a couple of years ago when the education program was only a dream and we were very impressed. Just the business side of the lab is facinating and then to see some snakes I've only heard about was fantastic.

Since it's only 20-25 miles west of Daytona, I bet Carl would welcome anyone who wanted to come over (assuming he is not flying - he is a commercial pilot) before, during or after the show. Maybe we could get him to give a private showing to the BP.net crew. :banana:

i believe Reptile World,also here in central fla is open to the public,and they do milkings there as well

i love that gaboon :) :)

Has anyone figured out what the green snake is?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Creeptastic

Has anyone figured out what the green snake is?

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Looks like either a waglers viper, or a bamboo viper to me.

ty so much, i looked up both, both are stunning!! I just love green snakes