Coyote Peterson visits the Reptile Discovery Center in Florida, owned and operated by Carl Barden, to learn about the process of milking venomous snakes for the creation of anti-venom. Carl explains that the center has over 1,000 snakes, including 500 venomous species, and that they milk 50-200 snakes a day to produce venom that is used to create life-saving anti-venom. Coyote assists Carl in milking a water moccasin and an Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, which is considered one of the most venomous snakes in the United States. Throughout the process, Coyote and Carl discuss the dangers of snake venom and the importance of the work being done at the center.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Reptile Discovery Center is located in DeLand, Florida, and is owned and operated by Carl Barden.
2. The center is home to dozens of the world's most dangerous snakes, many of which are on display to educate the public.
3. The center is also a Med toxin venom laboratory, where venom is extracted from snakes to create anti-venom.
4. The process of milking snakes for venom is done to create anti-venom, which can save human lives in the event of a snake bite.
5. Carl Barden has been bitten by a snake 11 times in 27 years, with 9 of those bites resulting in envenomation.
6. The center has about 1,000 snakes on site, with around 500 of them being used for venom extraction.
7. The Southern Copperhead snake is one of the snakes at the center, and its venom is hemolytic, causing hemorrhage and destroying blood cells.
8. The Cottonmouth snake is another snake at the center, and its venom is highly toxic.
9. The Eastern Diamondback snake is considered one of the most venomous snakes in the United States, with a potentially fatal bite.
10. The venom from the Eastern Diamondback snake can yield up to 100 milligrams of venom, which is highly toxic.
11. The center's work in extracting venom and creating anti-venom is crucial in saving lives in the event of a snake bite.
12. The center offers educational programs and tours to the public, and visitors can schedule a visit through their website.