Snake milking, the careful extraction of venom from snakes, is a specialized activity performed in controlled environments. This intricate process serves various important purposes. It involves precise techniques by trained professionals, contributing significantly to medical science and public health.
The Primary Purpose of Milking Snakes
The main reason for milking snakes is the production of antivenom, a medication that saves lives after venomous snakebites. Snake venom contains complex proteins and enzymes that can cause severe tissue damage, interfere with blood clotting, or lead to paralysis. To create antivenom, small, non-lethal doses of snake venom are injected into large animals, typically horses, sheep, or llamas. These animals develop an immune response, producing antibodies against the venom’s toxins.
The animal’s blood is then collected, and the plasma containing these antibodies is separated from other blood components. This plasma undergoes purification to isolate and concentrate the antibodies, forming the antivenom product. Antivenom works by binding to and neutralizing venom components, preventing them from causing harm in a bitten individual. This method, largely unchanged since the 1890s, remains the primary treatment for snakebite envenoming globally, making it an important public health tool.
The Milking Process
Extracting venom, often called “milking,” involves several careful steps performed by trained professionals in specialized facilities. One common technique involves gently restraining the snake by the head, then encouraging it to bite a membrane stretched over a collection vessel. As the snake bites, its fangs penetrate the membrane, and venom is released into the container. Some facilities also use a small pipette placed over the snake’s fangs for collection.
Another method, less common due to welfare concerns, involves mild electrical stimulation of the snake’s venom glands to induce venom expulsion. After collection, the venom is immediately placed into cold storage to preserve its integrity. This collected venom is then labeled with information about the snake species and collection details before further processing or transport.
Beyond Antivenom: Other Uses for Snake Venom
While antivenom production is a primary application, snake venom components are increasingly explored for biomedical research and drug development. Venom is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, and enzymes, with unique biological properties that can target specific physiological pathways. For instance, certain snake venom peptides led to the development of medications for high blood pressure, such as captopril, inspired by a compound from the Brazilian pit viper’s venom. This compound functions by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
Research also investigates snake venom for its potential in pain relief, with some compounds showing analgesic effects comparable to morphine but without addictive properties or respiratory depression. Additionally, components from snake venom are being studied for their anti-clotting properties, which could be used to treat or prevent blood clots. Some snake venom proteins are also explored for their ability to rapidly promote blood clotting, potentially leading to new hemostatic agents for uncontrolled bleeding.
Ensuring Safety and Expertise in Snake Milking
Working with venomous snakes is inherently dangerous, requiring extensive specialized training and expertise to minimize risks. Snake milkers, often trained herpetologists, must possess a deep understanding of snake behavior and handling techniques. Strict safety protocols are always followed, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as snake-resistant gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing.
Specialized tools like snake hooks and tongs are used to handle snakes from a safe distance, minimizing direct contact and reducing bite risk. Facilities are designed with secure, climate-controlled enclosures and controlled environments. Despite precautions, accidents can occur, so having appropriate antivenom readily available for every snake species in the facility is a standard safety measure.