Can cobras live without their fangs?

The Philippine cobra is among the most venomous in the world. According to an episode of "Born to be Wild," apart from biting off an enemy, the Philippine cobra can also spit out its poisonous venom.

Which doesn't mean it doesn't need its fangs.

According to Doc Nielsen Donato, "Its armour is its venom and fangs. Kung tinanggal mo yung pangil, kahit may kamandag siya, hindi na niya kaya i-inject ito. Defenseless na siya."

Doc Nielsen went to Natividad, Pangasinan where a local resident named Joel Baquiring has become his community's go-to- guy whenever snakes appear in their crop fields. Joel would average about three snakes a month

During his visit, Doc Nielsen learned that Joel would remove the fangs from these snakes before releasing them in the wild again. It comes from good intentions: He would remove the fangs to ensure his community's safety should the snakes wander back in.

But Doc Nielsen said that while Joel has the best intentions, removing fangs might actually be harmful for the Philippine cobra.

Apart from becoming defenseless, Doc Nielsen said the snakes need their fangs to feed themselves and survive the wild. Without the fangs, "Hindi na niya makakain yung prey niya."

More importantly, he said, fangs are needed for "the survival of Philippine cobra."

Philippine cobras play an important role in control pests that destroy our crops. Without them, an ecological imbalance can and will ensue in crop fields, affecting the larger issues of food production as well as food security.
 
Thankfully, fangs grow within a week after being removed.

In the episode, Doc Nielsen not only trained Joel in the proper handling of Philippine cobras but he also introduced him to the local DENR officials, who said they're interested in hiring Joel for his skills.

After treating the cobras with antibiotics and painkillers, the Doc Nielsen, DENR officials and Joel released the cobras to the area where pests — rats — often go to during harvest season. This ensures that the ecological balance is maintained,  the cobras are able to play its important role in pest control, and there is enough food for everybody. — LA, GMA News