True or Not?

Sapphyr · 02-13-11, 01:47 AM

So, I've made a post regarding this lady we go to for crickets for our lizards. Little family owned business, so we like to help them out.

So, her and my mother were just talking and somehow hognoses came up and the lady said she knew a friend who almost lost his arm on account of being bitten by his hognose. She claims they're venomous, which people have been debating about, but I personally think they aren't. It's kind of similar to how Komodos have all that nasty bacteria in their mouths that work against a bitten prey item.

I'm extremely skeptical and the only way I can consider this truth is to think he had an allergic reaction to the toxins in the saliva. I'm just curious about what you all think about what she said, and if you think it could be possible, tell me how.

marvelfreak · 02-13-11, 02:07 AM

To my understanding they are a mild venomous snake. They can make you sick, but not kill you. Unless you have a allergic reaction. Just like a bee sting doesn't hurt me , but could kill someone else.

NennaMeerkat · 02-13-11, 02:11 AM

Its kinda like ants and bees. Some people will react more violently to hognose venom than others. Most of what I read is that they will irritate your skin, make you feel sick, and rashes...but nothing like losing an arm. Thing I heard of people nearly losing fingers or parts of them.

Sapphyr · 02-13-11, 02:20 AM

Hmm.. Well I'd really not like to lose anything, LOL. Maybe I'm not ready for a hognose. I just may go for a crested gecko next expo instead, it was second on my list, next to an albino honduran milk snake.

NennaMeerkat · 02-13-11, 02:48 AM

Well you already know that I said that I think lizards are less of a hassle than snakes BUT at the same time I have a hognose and if there is one thing I have learned is that for you to get bit by a hand-raised hognose you have to REALLY REALLY REALLY piss it off. They just aren't likely to strike. If anything they would just headbutt you.

Lankyrob · 02-13-11, 03:37 AM

With them being rear fa ged to get envenomated in the first place is unlikely, then as said above it is down to how you react to the venom. If you react well then its meant to be like a bee sting, if you react badly then i would imagine it would all depend on bow bad the reaction is and how quickly medical attention is sought.

ineedsoap16 · 02-13-11, 07:53 AM

The other very odd fact about getting bitten by a Western Hognose is that when they strike, they do so with a closed mouth. If you watch closely, in a defensive strike, what you are feeling hit your hand is actually the upturned snout.

Ryan

presspirate · 02-13-11, 08:07 AM

It is my understanding that they would have to actually chew on you a bit to actually get the venom in.

mld · 02-13-11, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

To my understanding they are a mild venomous snake. They can make you sick, but not kill you. Unless you have a allergic reaction. Just like a bee sting doesn't hurt me , but could kill someone else.

I agree, as long as your not allergic to the venom!

infernalis · 02-13-11, 10:10 AM

Hoggies are in fact rear fanged with mild venom.

Sapphyr · 02-13-11, 10:16 AM

Oh I understand all their pre-bite tactics, headbutting, fanning their head, playing dead, and also about their rear fangs... I'm just a little intimidated by that small chance. I may consider them if the guy I'm looking to buy from has already started to get it used to taming, because I honestly think he's done so with my BRB. First day, held my BRB and he was as tame as could be. He's never even striked at me or acted aggressive about anything. Been holding him almost every day since I got him(besides before and after eating, of course) and he's never complained or fussed. Even lets me hold him while having 'blue eyes', still nothing.

See, I personally love hognoses 'cause I adore that upturned snout and their comical behavior before being tamed, but my boyfriend has a liiittle phobia of snakes, he believes, and I think a hognose would be really good for him since it stays relatively small and is so reluctant to bite. I think his biggest fear is being bitten and how some are so muscular and strong, but I've held a carpet python, they aren't out to get you or any of that nonsense. I actually loooved holding something so muscular, granted the one I held was a little hyper and wanted to greet everyone around me, but I was still able to gently lead it back to me. I really just think my man needs to start out with a little snake that won't bite(usually).

mld · 02-13-11, 10:24 AM

My husband is not a snake fan, or any reptile fan. But I'm working on him

, and hopefully will have one at some point.
They are more scared of him, and will avoid confrontation if possible.

Sapphyr · 02-13-11, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mld

My husband is not a snake fan, or any reptile fan. But I'm working on him

, and hopefully will have one at some point.
They are more scared of him, and will avoid confrontation if possible.

Ahhh :0 Well good luck on getting him to like them a bit more!

infernalis · 02-13-11, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphyr

I may consider them if the guy I'm looking to buy from has already started to get it used to taming, because I honestly think he's done so with my BRB. First day, held my BRB and he was as tame as could be. He's never even striked at me or acted aggressive about anything. Been holding him almost every day since I got him(besides before and after eating, of course) and he's never complained or fussed. Even lets me hold him while having 'blue eyes', still nothing.

Please don't take me wrong here... But I need to say this.

There is no such thing as a tame reptile.

We can get them to tolerate us, we can get them to tolerate handling, but all in all instinct will override any form of "taming"

There are countless discussions on here about snakes and lizards that people got bit by while handling or feeding them.

Just about a week or two ago, my little leopard gecko bit me while I was feeding him.

I myself get bitten by a snake or two nearly every week. Fortunately I work with smaller snakes, so most of the bites are comical.

Sapphyr · 02-13-11, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Please don't take me wrong here... But I need to say this.

There is no such thing as a tame reptile.

We can get them to tolerate us, we can get them to tolerate handling, but all in all instinct will override any form of "taming"

There are countless discussions on here about snakes and lizards that people got bit by while handling or feeding them.

Just about a week or two ago, my little leopard gecko bit me while I was feeding him.

I myself get bitten by a snake or two nearly every week. Fortunately I work with smaller snakes, so most of the bites are comical.

Oh well, yes, I do know instinct still remains, I meant as tame as tame can go. I didn't mean,"Oh he's so tame! He'd never ever bite me!" I know that, despite how well he is with being handled and me coming into his cage, he could mistake me as food one day and probably more than just once. I'm honestly just waiting for him to mistake me as food, I'm sure he will eventually, as do many snakes with other owners. I mean, watch Snakebytes, they get bit all the time. It honestly just depends on you(as far as smelling like food, feeling anxious when trying to pick it up, etc. goes) and how your snake is(like being naturally nippy, finicky, etc.).

Just yesterday my gecko got a little nippy and drew blood yesterday, I don't honestly mind. I just sat him back in his cage to chill for a little while. Back to his usual self today, lax and calm.

I'm fully aware that, even if they are handled frequently and tolerate handling really well, they will bite should they want to.

This is one reason why I've considered a hognose to get my man used to snakes(and because I love them), I don't think they -want- to bite since they headbutt and try other tactics besides biting. At the same time, I, myself, am worried about them should they mistake you for food and bite you considering their 'venom' deal. Is it still rare, even then, to get envenomated, or would it probably happen in such a case?

Edit: Oh, also, the instinct thing? Instinct still remains in a lot of our pets. Dogs will still hunt tiny fluffy things should you be irresponsible and put it on the floor, or if it escapes. Cats will still hunt mice(unless they're just too lazy, like mine). Instinct remains in most pets we keep today, and I'm fully aware. Not oblivious like some of those people you find on Fatal Attractions, LOL. Only difference is the things on that show can kill you easily. Not saying a dog can't kill a person and all the like, but it's very unlikely.