Can snakes die from their own venom?

[shaggybill]

I was under the impression that snakes cannot die from their own venom, but this weekend I was watching Jeff Corwin and he caught a Lancehead and he said that he had to be careful to not let the snake bite itself. Anybody?

[ReptileHQ]

I am almost 99% positive that a snake is immune to it's own venom

Chris

[BWSmith]

I am not 100% sure about a snake being immune to its own venom (not just the sp). Perhaps it was because of potential to physical trauma fromt he fangs of such a viper.

[ETET]

I go with Chris & BW, the snake should immune to its venom. I heard that years ago an adult gaboon died from its own bite while feeding; probably its fang punctured an vital organ. But I forgot which zoo it happened, may be someone remember.


ETET

[KRYSTA]

i keep hearing that snakes are not immune to their own poison. i mean if you think about it they are injecting themselves with digestive fluids. in the same sence we are not immune to our own stomach acid. it would just make more sence that a snake is not immune to its own poison. just my 2 cents. it just makes more sence to me.

[Dom]

I have encountered a circumstance where a mexican cantil died as a result of an other cantils bite.. I was under the impresion, that some were immune and others are not.

This is just assumption .. not really sure..

[J_Riley]

Check out this thread from down below...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11005

[BWSmith]

I was talking about a snake being immune to ITS venom. Not a species being be immune to a species venom. But again, not sure. i have had cottons bite cottons and coppers bite coppers with no ill effects. But i had an EDB kill a Canebrake. PK just bit herself while I was hooking her last week. No ill effects.