Venomous Pythons?! New Research Benefits Snakebite Victims

[BronxZooFrank]

Hi All,

In recent years, researchers have found toxins in a wide array of snakes and lizards formerly believed to be harmless…even the Bearded Dragon is not above suspicion (please see below), but venomous pythons? While working at the Bronx Zoo, I was several times called upon to assist in confiscating snakes that had appeared in the pet trade before we learned of their potentially lethal venom (i.e. Asian Watersnakes, genus Rhabdophis). All evidence of toxicity must be taken seriously…bear in mind that both the Boomslang and Savanna Twig Snake were thought to be harmless until each killed a prominent herpetologist! The recent discovery of toxins in the mucus of certain pythons poses a unique and unexpected concern for snakebite victims.\

Studies at the University of Queensland have revealed the presence of toxins in the mucus of several python species. Read more here http://bit.ly/YVaSiX

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Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

 

[snake8myelbo]

Good read! I've been bitten countless times by multiple species in the boid family. I've never had any side affects.

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[crayfishguy]

Good read! I've been bitten countless times by multiple species in the boid family. I've never had any side affects.

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The venom that is being found usually isn't more than enough to create slight redness or itching.

 

[BronxZooFrank]

The venom that is being found usually isn't more than enough to create slight redness or itching.

Hi, please see article...as far as known so far, I believe venom has no effects on prey or people; info relayed just as a point of interest, and for the insights it may give into snake evolution, etc., I'll post updates as they become available, best, frank

 

[Miguel]

Frank, i have kept snakes for years, and have read often that ALL snakes are venomous, pythons, boidase and colubrids included.

As to Boomslangs, i beg to differ in the sense that everybody knowledgeable with african snakes knows they are deadly, well before the death of that scientist in the Us.

 

[BronxZooFrank]

Hi thanks..boomslangs and several others were indeed long known to be rear-fanged and possessed of venom, but until the 1957 death (Schmidt) they were not credited, at least in published form, with being dangerous; as usual, local knowledge likely preceeded formal publication; Greene's account, in Snakes, the Evolution of Mystery....likely gives citations to original papers, etc, but I cannot go back and search right now. Best, Frank