False Water Cobras

dinosaurdammit · 02-03-13, 06:56 PM

There is a guy selling (rehoming /eyeroll/) a pair. I have had my eye on one but never see them for sale locally. What is their care like? I know they are mildly venomous so what steps would I need to take before I own one? I want to know more but the info on the net seems to contradict itself

rmfsnakes32 · 02-03-13, 07:02 PM

Pm kimberly urban she keeps alot of venomous and can give you better info than any website can

SpOoKy · 02-03-13, 07:26 PM

They are rear fanged venomous and not much is know about their venom. Many people have been bitten with only mild swelling and irritation and others have had more serious reactions. Their venom delivery is hindered so they really have to kinda "chew" on you in order to get a good amount in. If you are thinking about getting one I would be sure that you are very good with hook handeling as this is the safest wa to work with them. I love mine, she is probably my favorite sbnake in my collection. Incredible feeding response to them. They are not a snake to take lightly but can be very rewarding to work with.

dinosaurdammit · 02-03-13, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpOoKy

They are rear fanged venomous and not much is know about their venom. Many people have been bitten with only mild swelling and irritation and others have had more serious reactions. Their venom delivery is hindered so they really have to kinda "chew" on you in order to get a good amount in. If you are thinking about getting one I would be sure that you are very good with hook handeling as this is the safest wa to work with them. I love mine, she is probably my favorite sbnake in my collection. Incredible feeding response to them. They are not a snake to take lightly but can be very rewarding to work with.

I have seen some "tame" ones but I would like to treat it as a hot. I am hoping one day I can own a king cobra, though my dream seems a bit silly.

SSSSnakes · 02-03-13, 08:04 PM

I keep False Water Cobra and they are great. As mentioned they are rear fang venomous and a bite from them would depend on your bodies reaction to the venom as how dangerous they can be. Mine are very fast and have a awesome feeding response. All the ones I have kept have been non aggressive, but I always treat them like any other HOT. Keep in mind they are a South American water snake and get normally around 6 to 7 feet but may reach 10 feet. They eat fish and amphibians in the wild but will take mice and rats in captivity.

SpOoKy · 02-03-13, 08:20 PM

I actually keep an epi pen in the house in case of an extreme reaction. Before I got mine, the breeder I got her from made me come over and work with one of her adults with her and see how well I handle snakes with hooks. It was very surprising the speed and strength of the full grown male. Although we did free handle her adult, she did want to see me hook handle the babies before she would allow the sale. She has been bitten by babies and an adult before and had different reactions everytime. They are a qonderful snake to own and I am really happy I was able to handle a full grown as they have their own "personality".

Corey209 · 02-03-13, 08:50 PM

The venom is similar to a Timber Rattlesnake and they should be treated as HOTs.

**Aaron_S** · 02-04-13, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

The venom is similar to a Timber Rattlesnake and they should be treated as HOTs.

I'd be interested in reading the information regarding this.

poison123 · 02-04-13, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I'd be interested in reading the information regarding this.

As would I.

Corey209 · 02-04-13, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I'd be interested in reading the information regarding this.

I was told by Viperkeeper about this at first, and when I looked it up pretty much every source confirmed this. I can't find many actual studies but FWC's do not produce enough venom to inflict the same bite as a Timber but the venom is just as potent.

http://www.unco.edu/biology/faculty_...y/colubrid.pdf
"Venom from the false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) contained high activity toward hide powder azure, casein yellow and azocasein and showed hemorrhagic activity which was equal to or greater than
Crotalus atrox venom."

SSSSnakes · 02-04-13, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

I was told by Viperkeeper about this at first, and when I looked it up pretty much every source confirmed this. I can't find many actual studies but FWC's do not produce enough venom to inflict the same bite as a Timber but the venom is just as potent.

http://www.unco.edu/biology/faculty_...y/colubrid.pdf
"Venom from the false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) contained high activity toward hide powder azure, casein yellow and azocasein and showed hemorrhagic activity which was equal to or greater than
Crotalus atrox venom."

I have read this and heard this as well. The venom is very strong but they have a poor delivery system. One of the sources is from the Utah's Hogle Zoo. They must get a chewing bite and hang on for a while to really inject a good amount of venom

Roadtrash · 02-03-13, 11:13 PM

Timber's are pretty potent, are the FWC that bad? I don't know much about them but I didn't think they were that bad.