Q&A for How to Safely Extract and Store Snake Venom

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After lyophylization of snake venom, can I keep it in a -80 degrees Celsius freezer?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. This will help preserve the structure of the peptides present in the venom.

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Question

Do I need to take any extra precautions handling different snakes, such as spitting cobras?

Community Answer

Yes. A spitting cobra is able to spit its venom into your eyes and other places. Take precautions such as wearing goggles.

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Question

My stored venom has turned into a white precipitate. What is it, and is it still harmful?

Community Answer

Remove it as soon as possible, as the precipitate can produce toxic fumes and cause someone to become unconscious.

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Question

If I put a welltide bottle full of snake venom in normal temperature for five to seven years, will the venom be fresh?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No, it can degrade at such temperatures.

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Question

Should I cool the area down before handling a snake?

Community Answer

Yes, this will make the snake less active.

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Question

Can I store snake venom in a fridge?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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Question

Can I store the venom in its liquid form?

Community Answer

Yes, but it does expire, so keep an eye on the expiration dates.

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Question

How is freeze dried snake venom reactivated? Does it go back to it's original state?

Community Answer

When you dissolve it in water. You might find that some of the enzymes may not fully dissolve and there is still some white material in the tube. If you have a centrifuge, then spin the sample and take the solution, leaving the small insoluble pellet in the tube. If you don't have a centrifuge, you might just have to wait for it to settle under gravity.

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Question

Would venom stay fresh at room temperature?

Community Answer

No, it would not. You must store it in a frozen state.

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Question

How many grams can a fully grown puff adder produce in a single venom extraction? And how often is the extraction done?

Madelyn Hamm

Community Answer

Puff adders have cytotoxic venom, it destroys tissue but regarded as slow-acting. The venom yield in a single bite ranges between 150 and 350 mg, with a maximum recorded of 750 mg. So you'd typically expect 150-350 mgs of cytotoxic venom. You can milk a puff adder about once per day.

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Question

How do I transport venom from the field to a lab?

Bian Penny

Community Answer

Store it in a cooler to keep it fresh, then transport it.

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Question

Could anti-venom be left without refrigeration for a day and still be an effective medicine?

Bian Penny

Community Answer

No. The venom wouldn't be able to stay fresh at room temperature for that long.

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Question

Will extracting the venom hurt the snake?

FutureHow

Community Answer

No, but it will make the snake mad and aggressive.

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