benidorm excursions logo

An expert in dealing with  dangerous animals, extracts venom from a snake in Terra Natura so it can be analysed by The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

An expert used to handling poisonous animals has extracted the venom from an African viper, (Bitis nasicornis), this morning in the nature park Terra Natura in Benidorm.veneno

The toxic liquid extracted during the process will be transported to the CSIC, where a scientific team will analyse the multifaceted protein chains that make up the extracted poison.

The close relationship between the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the nature park allows testing antidotes presently available to see if they could be used for other snake venom.

To extract or milk the venom, the snake’s head has to be immobilised.  Once this is done and the fangs are placed over a container the venom can be extracted.

Once the snake has “bitten” the glass the expert presses gently on the glands where the venom is produced to extract the largest quantity possible.  Carefully with a precision pipette, the toxic liquid is placed on a Petri’s dish and frozen so that it is in perfect condition when it reaches the laboratory.veneno2

This process is risky as direct contact is maintained with the snake.  With some species such as vipers of rattle snakes, the risk is greater as the fangs that inject the venom move making it easy for the handler’s fingers or hands to be bitten.  In Spain there are only two or three professionals skilled to carry out this type of extraction from poisonous snakes.

The process is carried out every two or three months so no undue stress is caused to the snakes.  The quantity of poison obtained from each extraction varies according to the species and size of the snake.  The Spanish National Research Council are currently interested in  Viper, Cobra, Rattlesnake, Gila Monster and Scorpion Lizard venom.

  • 1