LD50 is the relative lethal dose of a venom, which when administered to a test group of rodents causes a 50% death rate. When looking up the number for a gaboon viper, don't bother with the subcutaneous rating. With fangs like that, I would say you'd be more looking at an intramuscular or intravenous bite. Much more dangerous kind of bite. Anyway... values are at
the Australian Venom & Toxin Database for your perusal.
I can't fathom someone wanting one as a first hot, muchless as a first snake. Your friend must have a slow and painful death wish or something. If you want to know about strike speed and range, most people I've talked to say that by the time it registers in your brain that the snake moved, you've already been bitten. They are fully capable of striking something a full body length away from them. In any direction. Not just the one they are facing.
Antivenin is available in the US, but only from a few select sources. If you got bitten, it would probably never arrive to your location in time for it to be of any use, unless you happen to live in Miami, FL where the main antivenin bank is. Not to mention, its very expensive - and a hospital will be all too happy to charge you for airlifting it to your location as well. Ever chartered a helicopter or jet before? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Well, double that price for an emergency medical unit.
Before even considering a gaboon, I'd have at least $40,000 USD squirrelled away in a bank account somewhere, because you will need it for the hospital visit. No insurance will cover your own stupidity. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Rav
[addsig]
