Are venomous snakes integral parts of a reptile collection?

[bongorob]

I agree, the general trend does seem to be towards less venomous species and has been for a while. Interestingly though, I think Chester's snake collection might actually be majority venomous as the only other species I recall them having are reticulated python, Boelen's python, red-tailed racer, and emerald tree boa.

Chester holds two species of emerald tree boa. Corallus caninus and C.batesi.

I think more zoos should keep venomous snakes My favourite is Russell's viper, which I have been told is a difficult species to keep.

About 3 miles from where I live is a breeding site for grass snakes. Every summer the local press is full of stories about the public reporting sightings of dangerous adders. One person even went as far as saying that it should be illegal to keep snakes as pets, in case they escaped just like the grass snakes had, the public really do need educating about reptiles.

Recently a man living near to me found a corn snake in his bin, why do zoochatters never get that sort of luck? The RSPCA removed it and becuse it had a bulge in its body drove 50 miles to a specialist vet to get the tumor examined. The vet took one look and informed the RSPCA inspector the snake had eaten a rat.

There is a private keeper near me who reportedly has the largest collection of venomous snake species in the country.

 

[Batto]

I didn't say "taxonomic class", I said "entire class", as in venomous reptiles in contrast to non-venomous.

Are you aware of the concept of taxonomy in regard to biological classification?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Are you aware of the concept of taxonomy in regard to biological classification?

Of course, we are simply using the word "class" differently. Perhaps I should have chosen a different word for better clarification.

 

[Batto]

Recently a man living near to me found a corn snake in his bin, why do zoochatters never get that sort of luck?

Almost every summer.
If you provide the right climatic conditions, Russel's vipers are not that hard to keep.

 

[Batto]

I would like that large zoos like Beauval or La Flèche acquire half a dozen species of venomous snakes

You have two options to make your wish come true:
1. Become a member of said zoos' supervisory boards.
2. Found your own venomous snake zoo. Trust me: it's super-easy - barely an inconvenience...

Cat snakes (Boiga sp) are a genus, not a family.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I suspect @Haliaeetus was incorrectly using the term as a shorthand for all members of the Colubridae

 

[Jurek7]

Another one who likes to see venomous snakes as part of the animal diversity.

Although modern people, as your visitors, are more often interested in the beauty of snakes than the thrill of danger.

 

[Batto]

I suspect @Haliaeetus was incorrectly using the term as a shorthand for all venomous members of the Colubridae

 

[Batto]

(...)than the thrill of danger.

At least it's not
The thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[Batto]

Welt der Gifte in Austria come to mind), there really are very few zoos across Europe with meaningful venomous collections.

Another reason to visit our new venue in Salzburg then. And we might even add another exciting new species this March...*shameless self-marketing*

 

[elefante]

I'd find it odd not to include venomous snakes in a reptile house.

 

[joe99]

As a Kiwi, i think we have some pretty cool reptile collections even with venomous snakes being banned. the Ti point reptile park has a cool collection of about 40 native and exotic reptiles ranging from skinks, geckos, iguanas, turtles, terrapins, alligators ect. Butterfly creek i would consider second best in that regard, with some native and exotic geckos, an iguana, water dragons, central bearded dragons, tortoises and terrapins, 3 alligators and 2 adult male saltwater crocodiles. a couple other zoos have some cool animals like lace monitors and slow lizards but i would consider both Ti point and Butterfly creek having good reptile collections

 

[Batto]

There's one side effect of the decrease of venomous snake holdings in major zoos in Europe, Japan etc. that I think is worth mentioning: a loss of expertise among zoo staff. Granted, the grand majority of zookeepers will never work with venomous snakes, but depending on the national zookeeper education, venomous snake husbandry and handling can still be a part of the training program. And if you don't have any realistic options to train that at your zoo, you're quite at a disadvantage when this kind of knowledge is required. I witnessed this myself back in the days when WdG was still in Greifswald. The zoo director of nearby Zoo Stralsund asked me to train his zookeeper trainees since they kept on failing the zookeeper exam in Leipzig on this behalf. And I'm proud to say that after some extensive training, they all passed with flying colours.
As long as there are small specialist institutions like mine, we can provide future zookeepers with this training option. But with less incentive from major zoos to keep venomous snakes (or any venomous/poisonous animals), I'm afraid that this kind of knowledge will be gone from the general zookeeper standard of knowledge in the foreseeable future. And as with every loss of knowledge, I don't think that this is all too desirable.

 

[Great Argus]

There's one side effect of the decrease of venomous snake holdings in major zoos in Europe, Japan etc. that I think is worth mentioning: a loss of expertise among zoo staff. Granted, the grand majority of zookeepers will never work with venomous snakes, but depending on the national zookeeper education, venomous snake husbandry and handling can still be a part of the training program. And if you don't have any realistic options to train that at your zoo, you're quite at a disadvantage when this kind of knowledge is required. I witnessed this myself back in the days when WdG was still in Greifswald. The zoo director of nearby Zoo Stralsund asked me to train his zookeeper trainees since they kept on failing the zookeeper exam in Leipzig on this behalf. And I'm proud to say that after some extensive training, they all passed with flying colours.
As long as there are small specialist institutions like mine, we can provide future zookeepers with this training option. But with less incentive from major zoos to keep venomous snakes (or any venomous/poisonous animals), I'm afraid that this kind of knowledge will be gone from the general zookeeper standard of knowledge in the foreseeable future. And as with every loss of knowledge, I don't think that this is all too desirable.

I agree the expertise in handling venomous snakes is an important part of the zookeeping field. There's a number of reasons to this, in my opinion. Keeping venomous snakes is a valuable education opportunity, especially if native species are kept. They tend to get a lot of hate and fear, with many people not understanding the snake would want nothing to do with them if they crossed paths in the wild. Any sort of positive education on venomous snakes is a step in the right direction. Respect the snake and leave it alone instead of trying to kill it in fear.
Another particular benefit to having staff trained on venomous snakes is the ability to safely move any wild hots that turn up on zoo grounds, should it be necessary. Several of the Southwestern zoos have rattlesnakes on property, and once in awhile a snake appears in an unsafe spot and needs moved. Many of the Australian zoos take this a step further and offer venomous snake relocation services for their communities. A safe relocation is much better than the snake getting killed or adding to the snake bite statistics. Experienced zoo staff have removed exotic hots found roaming neighborhoods every so often as well. I've also heard stories of them assisting with confiscating illegally kept snakes. Zoos have also provided life-saving antivenom when private keepers have been bit.
Some zoos don't want the expense and risk associated with hots, but is there really much difference from other dangerous animals when handled properly? I've heard more news stories of captive big cats killing or injuring people than I have venomous snake bites - and most of the snake bites were resolved with antivenom. There's so many good reasons to keep the handling and maintenance knowledge strong. Not every facility needs hots to be sure, but to loose them and the expertise from public collections entirely would be a major shame.

 

[15399]

I agree the expertise in handling venomous snakes is an important part of the zookeeping field. There's a number of reasons to this, in my opinion. Keeping venomous snakes is a valuable education opportunity, especially if native species are kept. They tend to get a lot of hate and fear, with many people not understanding the snake would want nothing to do with them if they crossed paths in the wild. Any sort of positive education on venomous snakes is a step in the right direction. Respect the snake and leave it alone instead of trying to kill it in fear.
Another particular benefit to having staff trained on venomous snakes is the ability to safely move any wild hots that turn up on zoo grounds, should it be necessary. Several of the Southwestern zoos have rattlesnakes on property, and once in awhile a snake appears in an unsafe spot and needs moved. Many of the Australian zoos take this a step further and offer venomous snake relocation services for their communities. A safe relocation is much better than the snake getting killed or adding to the snake bite statistics. Experienced zoo staff have removed exotic hots found roaming neighborhoods every so often as well. I've also heard stories of them assisting with confiscating illegally kept snakes. Zoos have also provided life-saving antivenom when private keepers have been bit.
Some zoos don't want the expense and risk associated with hots, but is there really much difference from other dangerous animals when handled properly? I've heard more news stories of captive big cats killing or injuring people than I have venomous snake bites - and most of the snake bites were resolved with antivenom. There's so many good reasons to keep the handling and maintenance knowledge strong. Not every facility needs hots to be sure, but to loose them and the expertise from public collections entirely would be a major shame.

Native venomous snakes can also serve as a conservation project for the zoo, such as Roger Williams Park Zoo's timber rattlesnake conservation program.

Interestingly enough, the zoo used to not keep any venomous snakes on display, until around a decade ago they opened "The Snake Den", a small building focused on the Timber rattlesnake, a species the zoo has done conservation work with for a while now. Also in the building is a northern copperhead and a black ratsnake (obviously the latter is not a Venomous species). There used to be an eastern cottonmouth in there as well, however it's either gone or extremely good at hiding as I haven't seen it in recent years.

 

[Batto]

Several of the Southwestern zoos have rattlesnakes on property

Many of the Australian zoos take this a step further and offer venomous snake relocation services for their communities.

Unlike US, SA or Australian zoos, most European zoos have to deal with very few if any (usually Vipera berus) native venomous snakes. So that incentive isn't there for European zoo stakeholders.

Venomous snakes are often in the same high risk insurance category as big cats, elephants, polar bears etc. But depending on local antivenom regulations and logistics, bureaucracy (and hiring reliable staff) can be more bothersome.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Unlike US, SA or Australian zoos, most European zoos have to deal with very few if any (usually Vipera berus) native venomous snakes. So that incentive isn't there for European zoo stakeholders.

Venomous snakes are often in the same high risk insurance category as big cats, elephants, polar bears etc. But depending on local antivenom regulations and logistics, bureaucracy (and hiring reliable staff) can be more bothersome.

In Southern Europe there are a bit more venomous snake species, some of them are threatened (like the - non-aggressive - Meadow Viper Vipera ursinii) and would make interesting zoo animals and candidates for training and reintroduction programs.
This last species exists in Central and Eastern European collections, but not in France where it's a native species too.

With the imminent opening of the new wildlife clinic of Beauval, maybe this zoo will improve its knowledge on native venomous reptiles.

 

[Batto]

In Southern Europe there are a bit more venomous snake species, some of them are threatened (like the - non-aggressive - Meadow Viper Vipera ursinii) and would make interesting zoo animals and candidates for training and reintroduction programs.

Neither Vipera ammodytes, aspis, graeca, latastei, seaonei, ursinii nor walser, let alone the Caucasian Vipera or Malpolon sp., occur that often on European zoo grounds to negate what I wrote...
As for the high hopes for your favourite zoo: good luck; you might need it.

 

[Batto]

In Japan, JAZA parks have nearly completely phased out all venomous snakes. The only ones left, with very few holders, are mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii), Okinawa habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis), Hime-Habu (Ovophis okinavensis), and black-banded sea krait (Laticauda semifasciata). These snakes are also pretty much kept only in zoos and aquariums within their geographic ranges in Japan.

So except for the mentioned native species (including Protobothrops flavoviridis, I assume), the only places showcasing venomous snakes (especially non-native species) in Japan are IZoo and the Japan Snake Center?

 

[RatioTile]

So except for the mentioned native species (including Protobothrops flavoviridis, I assume), the only places showcasing venomous snakes (especially non-native species) in Japan are IZoo and the Japan Snake Center?

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has/had displayed some sea snakes and sea kraits, but also native species. iZoo was the only place I visited with non-native venomous snake species.