Dear God, this thread really took off! Like 3 hrs ago, it was only 3 pages...now its 6! Not that I'm truly surprised; this issue always triggers lengthy debates.
Anyway, just to add my $.02...I really don't agree with venomoids at all. According to my research in the matter and reviewing a lot of Dr. Fry's material, to properly do this procedure, the venom glands (which produce the venom) have to be removed and the ducts (which carry the venom to the fangs) have to be surgically closed. Both of these must be done, and even then, according to Dr. Fry, some elapids will regenerate them back (so far, I dont think any vipers have regenerated them).
But even so, I dont agree with it, even for educational purposes, because it will give the false impression that these snakes are handleable.
Now, Dr. Fry mentions that many venomoids learn to dispatch live prey without any issues at all, so I don't think the argument that they are unable to catch food without venom is too solid. Nevertheless, the removal of their venom is at best, a temporary procedure, and any intelligent person would still treat them as hots, this negating the whole process void anyway.
On the whole, there's no legitimate reason for this to be done. The only reason people do it is for a quick and easy way to enlarge their ego. It's just like telling everyone that you're a black belt in karate...but you're really not. One day, a real black belt will challenege you...and then what are you gonna do?
