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Extracting and Storing Snake Venom
Obtaining and storing snake venom can be a safe and effective process if done right. To extract and store snake venom properly, you need to:
- Secure and restrain the snake in a safe manner
- Use a method of venom collection appropriate for the species of snake
- Health check the snake after extraction of the venom
- Prepare the venom for storage
- Store the venom in an appropriate environment and container
Safely Restraining and Securing a Snake
When extracting venom from a snake, it is important to ensure the safety of yourself and the snake as well. Using a snake hook, snake tongs, and snake bags will help you minimize any potential dangers and keep both you and the snake safe.
Collecting Venom
Each species of snake has a different method for collecting their venom. Generally, venom is collected from snakes by allowing a few drops of the venom to drip onto a collection plate. In some cases, more invasive techniques such as “milking” can be used. Milking is the process of manually squeezing a snake’s venom glands in order to obtain a larger amount of venom.
Health Check of the Snake After Extraction
Once the venom has been successfully extracted from the snake, it is important to do a quick physical health check of the snake. This includes looking for signs of adverse reactions to the venom extraction such as abnormal breathing or signs of illness. If any signs of illness are present, be sure to contact a local veterinarian.
Preparing Venom for Storage
Before storing the venom, it is important to prepare it by diluting it with saline solution. This will reduce the amount of toxins present in the venom which can cause harm to humans, animals, and other creatures.
Storing Venom
Once the venom has been appropriately prepared, it can be stored in an airtight container and placed in a cool, dark location. It is important to ensure that the container is kept at a consistent temperature as changes in temperature can cause changes in the venom’s structure and potency.