Photo: Tom Charlton

The venom has been of particular interest to scientists, not just because of the snake’s uniquely long glands, but because it causes its victims to spasm – a trait that no other snake venom possesses.

“On the scale of weird, this one goes to 11,” Queensland University venomologist Bryan Fry said. “It’s a freaky snake.”

Along with a team of international researchers, Dr Fry has been the first to identify six unique peptides that allow the snake to switch on all of its prey’s nerves at once.

Photo: Canadian Press

David Poingdestre was one of the other reptile owners who pushed back against the bylaw.

For the 52-year-old, the prospect of having some of his pets taken away is devastating.

"They are, at the moment, what I live for," said Poingdestre, who suffers from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

A burrowing frog floating quietly between the bleating calls.

Before that vote, opinions about the rule changes were mixed. In a public comment period earlier this summer, the agency received a couple hundred letters, said Nate Webb, a biologist with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

At a public hearing in June, a few Mainers and non-Mainers supported the changes, arguing they will ensure animals are treated better while in captivity.

But a greater number of attendees at the June hearing — including breeders, collectors, rehabilitators and researchers — expressed concern about the proposal .