Ahaetulla nasuta

[timminsreptiles]

Anyone keep Ahaetulla nasuta? I've seen pictures of people handling this snake with there hands and reading other stuff saying that they can be very snappy, what would one have to do if he did get bit by one?

Lucas

[BWSmith]

NO venomous snake should be freehandled at any time. It is just reckless behavior. Ahaetulla nasuta actually have amazingly large fangs for their size. There is alot of debate as to how potent their venom is. Many researches are actually saying that the venom from some of the more innocuous colubrids should be taken more seriously. I have talked to a couple people that have been bitten by vine snakes and reported neurotoxic symptoms. I don't think anyone has taken the time to come up with a protocol for them since, to my knowledge, there have been no fatalities. But as with any venom, there is no way to tell how an individual is going to react to the venom. After all, thousands of people die from bee stings.

[timminsreptiles]

Thank you for your reply.........
I never intended in freehandling this snake, i was just wondering cause of the pictures i seen. I agree with you that it would absolutly reckless behavior. Would you have any tips on what to do if an accidental bite did occur?...like pressure on the site or hospital visit?......thanx

[BWSmith]

PERSONALLY, I would do a quick constrictive bandage and have epinephrine ready in case of an allergic reaction. I would just be ready to go to the hospital if it got too bad. I may also talk to a doctor about antibiotics just in case. But that is just me.

Browsing around a bit, I did find this:
If you were to get bitten by a snake like this, you would feel a burning pain and an hour or two later you might feel nausea or head ache. pain can last for weeks but, the other symptoms go away with in a day or two.
http://hometown.aol.com/_ht_a/asianvinesnake/home.html

And from Toxinology.com
Scientific name: Ahaetulla nasuta Common name: Asian green whipsnake Effect: Local swelling, ± discolouration, lymphangitis.
There is increasing evidence that at least some of these species can cause significant injury to humans. . . . This list is not exhaustive and most Colubrids should be considered as having some potential to cause at least local envenoming, whether via back-fangs or inoculation of toxic oral secretions.

[timminsreptiles]

cool thank you!

[psilocybe]

I agree with what BW has said...VENOMOUS SNAKES (including rear-fangs) SHOULD NOT BE FREEHANDLED! There is a line to draw though. I don't know too many people who use hooks or tongs with Heterodon. I personally probably wouldn't, but mainly because they are incredibly reluctant to bite at all, unless through a feeding response. I've never personally heard of a defensive bite from a hognose. However, I have seen bite pics that show considerable swelling as a result of an envenomation. Most people don't show symptoms though.

With any large rear-fanged species (i.e. Boiga, Ahaetulla, Hydrognastes, etc.) caution should be taken, and they should be treated like any other venomous snake.

[Gary O]

I have a pair of Ahaetulla prasina and the female is a bit snappy but the male is cool. They are one long skinny snake lol. And I find them hard to hook. But once you hook and get ahold of the tail it is cool.

But I would never freehandle one. I am more scared of breaking them lol.

[Gary O]

I posted a pic of my asian vines in my newest thread.