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A venomoid is a venomous snake that has undergone a surgical procedure to remove or inhibit the production of Snake venom. This procedure has been used for venomous snakes, kept for pets or used in public demonstrations, to remove the risk of injury or death when handled. The removal of venom glands or fangs of exhibited animals may be by surgery or simple mutilation; some or all of these procedures have been considered illegal and unethical.〔 Jeff Miller (Venomoids: An Overview ) ''The Southeastern Hot Herp Society'' March 29, 2001〕 Removal of fangs is uncommon, as snakes frequently regenerate teeth, and the more invasive procedure of removing the underlying maxillary bone would be fatal. Most venomoid procedures consist of either removing the venom gland itself, or severing the duct between the gland and the fang. However, the duct and gland have been known to regenerate, and supposedly "safe" snakes have killed mice and successfully envenomated humans.〔(Venomoid FAQ ) on snakegetters.com. Accessed Oct 11th 2008.〕 Advocates of this procedure state that it is done for safety reasons and have published methods for this surgery.〔R. Hoser ''(Surgical Removal of Venom Glands in Australian Elapid Snakes. The creation of venomoids. )'' Accessed Oct. 11th 2008.〕 However, this procedure is highly controversial amongst herpetologists, and is considered animal cruelty by many experts on venomous snakes, particularly in reference to this procedure being performed by unlicensed hobbyists with inadequate analgesia.〔〔(Veterinary Ethics: What About Venomoids? ) ''Venomous Snake Husbandry Basics: Veterinary Care'' Snakegetters.com, Accessed 15 October 2008〕 For instance, a veterinarian review on reptile surgery published in 2006 stated that "such practices should be discouraged" due to both ethical and animal welfare concerns. Legal questions have been raised about amateur venomoid surgeries, since the Australian 1986 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act states that animals must be anesthetized for the duration of an operation. In 2007 the Victoria state government amended the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 to ban the removal of venom glands from snakes unless performed for a therapeutic reason by a registered veterinarian. In addition, a 2008 government tribunal ruled that venomoid snakes cannot be handled by members of the public, due to the risk of the venom glands regrowing.〔Mex Cooper ('De-venomised' snakes ruled dangerous ) ''The Age'' October 15, 2008〕 ==See also== *Snake charming *Docking (animal) *Onychectomy 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Venomoid」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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