Poison?

[candyraver69]

Okay so yesterday (thank you so much Wayne) I got turned on to garter snakes and spent a little time trying to learn a little more about them. Up until yesterday I had never heard of garters being poisonous but stumbling through some threads I heard some terms and topics leading me to believe that some were.

I tried finding a little info and the best I managed to muster up so far is they indeed they are poisonous but harmless to humans, although I recall someone mentioning a particular kind was illegal to have without a permit and something to the effect of needing anti-venom. Forgive my stupidity but a lot of the terms and abbreviations used in that thread are beyond my comprehension level at this time.

So are certain garters poisonous to humans? If so which ones? (I really am not quite snake crazy enough to want a venomous one and want to avoid that type)

[Lankyrob]

Garters are poisonous but not venomous. They dont inject venom if htey bite - however, they are one of very few snakes that should you eat one it will poison you.

[infernalis]

Garters are harmless...

The problem is a species of Keelback snake from Indonesia is in fact a rear fang snake (like hognose are) and are called "Indonesian Garter Snakes"

However they are NOT thamnophis, they simply call them "Indonesian Garter Snakes" because of the markings. The proper scientific term is Natrix vittata .

They are rear fanged colubrids but their bite is not dangerous to humans like many rear fanged colubrids. The bite is a tiny bit more painful than a bee sting and non-necrotic or damaging to humans.

however, most of them are wild caught and full of parasites.

Not too many people can keep them alive for very long either, yet the freaking importers keep on bringing more in.....

http://www.massasaugaimports.com/pics/indogarter001.jpg

[candyraver69]

Ah, okay I have nothing to worry about then :)

[infernalis]

Ah, okay I have nothing to worry about then :)


Not a thing... ;)