The Australian Reptile Park’s Venom Milking Program
Since the 1950s, the Australian Reptile Park has been the sole suppliers of terrestrial snake venom for the purpose of making antivenom. It is estimated that 300 lives are saved by antivenom in Australia each year and since the program’s inception, over 20,000 Australian lives have been saved by the program. The Australian Reptile Park is currently home to 250 venomous snakes that are a part of the venom program that are milked on a fortnightly basis.
Opening Soon: The Weigel Venom Centre
Introducing our cutting-edge Venom Facility, a groundbreaking addition that redefines Australia’s antivenom program—the most significant upgrade to this life-saving initiative since its inception.
Home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes, this state-of-the-art facility is where science, innovation, and wildlife come together. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness the critical work behind the production of antivenom and explore the fascinating world of these remarkable reptiles.
Be among the first to experience this world-class facility and gain an appreciation for the vital role it plays in saving lives across Australia.
Information About Snake Venom
Snake venom is a highly developed form of saliva, injected by the snake into its victim through hollow, modified fangs. The base of a functioning fang, and often the first reserve fang behind it as well, is penetrated by a duct that leads from a large gland behind the eye. These glands, one on either side of the head, are modified salivary glands surrounded by muscle which, when contracted, forces the venom along the venom ducts and down through the fangs, squirting out under pressure as if from a pair of hypodermic needles. Venom may be injected may be injected in one or multiple but however, venom is not always injected as the snake has total control over amount of venom injected.
The venom of each species is unique, consisting of a combination of complex proteins, which act on the prey or bite victim in various ways. In most dangerous Australian species, the most significant action of the venom lies in its effect upon the victim’s nervous system, hindering the operation of muscles and causing paralysis that can lead to death from heart failure. Other components present in the venoms of certain species act to destroy blood cells, to cause blood clots or excessive bleeding, or to destroy tissue.
