Re: Stegonotus cucullatus - bite reaction and behaviour

On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 11:28:17 GMT,
stegonotus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said...

> We've recently acquired a pair of Stegonotus cucullatus (slatey-grey snakes)
> from the Northern Territory (Australia) - don't worry, we live in Australia
> so they weren't smuggled.
> 
> Very little information seems to be available on these snakes, so I have a
> silly question.
> 
> In all of our books and information found via the internet it states that
> these colubrids are non-venomous, however I was told by an - apparently -
> respectable source that there is suspicion that the animals are in fact very
> mildy venomous.
> 
> After being bitten about fifteen times by the female we have acquired, on
> two of the bite sites I now have small blisters, which have had phases of
> (very mild) itching, burning and stinging.  I am assuming that these
> blisters are from bacteria on the teeth or in the saliva of the snakes, or
> perhaps teeth are lodged under the skin. These areas where the blisters have
> occurred were washed within five to ten minutes of the bites. The bites
> which were not washed occurred a day later and no reaction has been noticed.
> My other half also received two bites, neither of which resulted in any
> reaction other than short-lived mild itching on one site. Her bites were not
> washed.
> 
> Also interesting to note was the manner in which the snake delivered the
> bites. Few times did she strike, and when she did the bites were often slow
> and preceeded by mouth gaping. The majority of the time the bites were
> delivered she would nose around on our skin for a short period of time until
> she found a tasty (or soft) spot, then she would open her mouth, tilt her
> head and proceed to gnaw on the area for a relatively long period of time.
> After gnawing for some time she would pull her head back, rather than simply
> releasing (this is why I suspect the blisters may have been due to teeth
> lodged under the skin), tearing the skin, then releasing.
> 
> I'm also wondering how many of these snakes are in captiviy over in other
> countries. Are they common? I've seen them for sale on some -
> non-Australian - site for $7.50US. I was rather surprised at the price
> difference, even though the US and other countries often have reptiles
> cheaper than us. The pair we acquired cost $350AU - $175US or so - with a
> $50 discount since we bought several other reptiles. This is relatively
> cheap also, since the only other S. cucullatus I have seen for sale in
> Australia was for $410AU ($205US approximately).
> 
> Anyway, does anyone else own these reptiles? Have you received any bites?
> Did you notice any form of reaction?
> 

A lot of venomous snakes are actually venomous to some degree.  
Something you have to keep in mind is that the "venomous" label is 
generally applied in relation to how the venom affects us (humans).  You 
probably wouldn't consider garter snakes venomous, but technically, 
they are.  The venom they produce is strong enough to help immobilize 
their prey - a frog, a mouse, etc. - but would have very little affect 
on you or I.

It's possible that the symptoms you've described are from the snake's 
venom, if it produces venom (I don't know anything about this particular 
snake) or an allergic reaction on your part.  As for the blisters, they 
may be the result of the venom as well, or as you suggested, due to the 
fact that the snake gnawed on that particular area.

Joe

P.S.  Don't let your snakes gnaw on you  :)