rear fang'd

[buck2003]

Hi I'm just curious, I know nothing about these snakes but hear ppl saying that they dont worry too much with these snakes and there venom cause there rear fanged? I am interested to know how this works, I mean if there fangs are at the back then how do they inject venom into there prey? I assume they must have away and so why are the ppl with them not concerned? Just curious if someone knows please tell me!
Thanks

[PythonGuy24]

The way i've heard is they bite and chew, but most people get their hand out before they get a chance to chew. What kind of snake are you talking about?

[bpkid]

There are rear-fanged colubrids that have to chew in order to inject venom.Hognose snakes are rear-fanged but harmless,and on the other hand the boomslang is rear-fanged and dangerous.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Rear fanged snakes evolved to keep from choking to death on frogs. It is common for a lot of frog species to balloon up when something is trying to swallow them so by having rear fangs or enlarged rear teeth, they can pop the frog and/or inject a mild venom that relaxes them or restricts their ability to blow up. Otherwise, they get the frog half way down and it puffs up and they can neither swallow nor spit it back out. Boomslangs aren't really rearfanged. They are more midfanged and can open up quite wide. Where most rear fanged snakes use their venom only for an eating aid, the boomslangs also use theirs like elapids and vipers for defense and have a much greater venom yield and toxicity than say a hognose or a radiated ratsnake.

[buck2003]

I was'nt talking about any particular snake nor am I thinking of getting one. I just wanted to know why ppl who kept rear fan'd snakes were not more cautious of the snakes venom. I thought if a snake has venom its there for a reason and it must be able to inject this venom. Therfore why are ppl not affraid. I'm still alittle confused after reading your replies, is it that they chew to inject venom and most ppl get there hand out? as stated above, or is it that they only use vemom to aid eating therefore a handler/keeper has no reson to be affraid? thanks for your replies I'm trying to learn and all your responses help!

[BWSmith]

Rear fanged snakes are referred to as opisthoglyphs. I believe that all rear fanged are colubrids. It is often a somewhat primitive venom delivery system. Many don't even have hollow fangs. There are several species that have caused moderate to serious envenomations and even fatalities. Many are considered to be harmless, particularly most North American Species. But you have to remember that bees and wasps are only mild envenomations to most people, but if someone is allergic ot the venom, it can kill them. I have heard numerous reports of Boiga, for instance, causing moderate to severe envenomations. And of course the Boomslang and Twig Snake causing fatalities. It is true that some species have to "chew" in order to cause a decent envenomation, but that is not true for all species, particularly the more dangerous ones.
As a side note, even snakes that have been int he trade for years such as Beauty snakes are venomous. They contain Alphaneurotoxins and Cobra 3 Finger Toxins.

[BWSmith]

If your library or someone you know has it, Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere has an excellent section on venomous colubrids. It is in Volume II starting on page 719.

"Four Latin American Species have also been implicated in very rare fatal accidents. No colubrid in North America has been implicated in bites causing more than local symptoms of envenomation."

"...familiar species that have been regarded as innoffensive, such as Gartersnakes, have produced symptoms of envenoming in humans"
I am actually one of the few people that has had a moderate reaction to a Gartersnake bite.

[EyeOfTheStorm]

I have always apparently been misunderstood of the Texas Coral (Micrurus fulvius), as well as other Corals having to "chew" their venom into its victim for envenomation.

"The grooved jaw along with tiny hollow fixed fangs assure that the coral has a poor delivery system for getting its venom into the victim. However, the coral snake does not have to "chew" its victim to inflict a painfully venomous bite, contrary to popular myth."

What is the difference between "fixed" and "rear" fanged? Do you have any pics comparing the different types BW?

[BWSmith]

Rear fanged is actually misnamed. The enlarged teeth are usually located under the eye. "Rear" just means that it is not situated at the front of the mouth. Corals are elapids. They have short fixed fangs at the front of the mouth. The reason they refer to them as fixed is because they do not fold down like viper fangs. I am sure there are some great images online, I just dont have any on hand. And you are absolutely right about Corals. It is also misunderstood that a Coral has to bite a finger or toe. Thier jaws are very flexible and they are capable of inflicting an envenomation on the thigh or chest.

[lethargiic]

ok a good example of a reptile that "chews" their venom into their prey are the gilas monsters and mexican beaded lizards.. ok ok i know they're not snakes but it was the first thing i could think of...lol