false water cobras

[All_American]

Good sunny day to you all. My question at hand today is? Are false water cobras venomous? If so, I was a but curious why they have a pair at local prehistoric pets shop. Did not think CA was able to sell hots here? With out permits that is....

Any ideas?

Ed

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

[wreckwriter]

They are generally considered to be "warm". They're rear fanged moderately venomous colubrids. Some say the bite is pretty rough, so say not so bad.

[All_American]

Thanks Writer, seems not alot is known about them around here. I may check into getting the pair if I can find more info on them first so I can have a set up all ready for them when they make it here... crossing fingers....

[wreckwriter]

Check with BW and/or Brian Foster. They probably know a lot more than I do. I looked into getting one and did some research before I found out that Florida doesn't differentiate between moderately venomous and highly so I would need a permit. Seems like I got some info from one or both of them.

[Milky2005]

False water cobras are rear-fanged snakes (like hognoeses). The bites can have different affect on people. Ive seen and handled them a couple of time and got bit by a fairly big one, the bite made me go drozey and it did swell up a bit but that was about it, but its affect on you could be differnt. They are quite fast moving snakes so if you do get one you may want to by a hook or some gloves to get them in and out of the cage.
But apart form that they are realy nice snakes and in the future I would love to myself have one or two.

Robert

[bcfos1]

False water cobra's.. I keep seeing ad's on kingsnake calling them the "Diet Coke of Venomous". I don't like diet coke myself unless it has a little lime in it.

They are about the same as a hognose. Very mild with little to no effects in humans, but also consider if a protein component of any venom you just so happen to be allergic to could cause some serious problems and rather complicate things. But really never consider any venom harmless. Look at the whole mess about the Dispholidus years back. They were thought to not me a great problem for human's if bitten. Well till someone died from a bite (which is rather nasty and hemotoxic).

On a personal level I have never messed around with FWC's due to never really giving them much thought. But then again not many people start a venomous collection with a Trimeresurus trigonocephalus which is considered a mild venom (similar to a copperhead) but has no known antivenom made for it. Plus the little buggers are really hard to get eating properly.

And if I am remembering correctly there is a member on another forum I visit who has been bitten by one of their FWC's So I will go look and see if I can find that post and link it here for you.

[BWSmith]

This information is from Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere Vol. II.

Studies of the venom have demonstrated toxicities in mice higher than those of some viperids from Bothrops and Crotalus.

Studies have revealed myotoxins, neurotoxins, and proteolytic compounds.

"While the risk from these species should not be exaggerated, it is prudent to recognize the potential danger"

There have been many cases of local envenoming and perhaps hypersensitivity reactions.

Prolonged chewing bites have resulted in painful swelling, which may extensive, persistant, and associated with bruising.

Case Study: After 9 hours, the victim became paralyzed and was unable to move or speak. Some speculate that this symptom may be due to anxiety. Painful swelling up tot he elbow. White blood cell count at the upper limit of normal.



Hope that helps. This is one of the best venomous snake books in the last decade. The sentences are not direct quotes, but you get the gist.

[bcfos1]

Well I couldn't find the post on the forum I thought it was on but here is a story about a FWC posted back in the day on TRR.

***WARNING I WENT OFF ON A POLITICAL RANT***

http://thereptileroom.org/forum/inde...showtopic=2908

[bcfos1]

Originally Posted by BWSmith

This information is from Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere Vol. II.
Studies of the venom have demonstrated toxicities in mice higher than those of some viperids from Bothrops and Crotalus.
Studies have revealed myotoxins, neurotoxins, and proteolytic compounds.
"While the risk from these species should not be exaggerated, it is prudent to recognize the potential danger"
There have been many cases of local envenoming and perhaps hypersensitivity reactions.
Prolonged chewing bites have resulted in painful swelling, which may extensive, persistant, and associated with bruising.
Case Study: After 9 hours, the victim became paralyzed and was unable to move or speak. Some speculate that this symptom may be due to anxiety. Painful swelling up tot he elbow. White blood cell count at the upper limit of normal.
Hope that helps. This is one of the best venomous snake books in the last decade. The sentences are not direct quotes, but you get the gist.

I am so getting this book now. But do they go into specific case study because all symptoms stated may differ from one person to the other. And the high white blood cell count only indicates a typical response to an unknown protein, virus, bacteria, particle noticed by the immune system which kicked into "high gear" in efforts to fight it off. But being in the "upper limits" could mean any number of things not limited to an allergic reaction or an unregulated lymphocyte (T-4).

[BWSmith]

Not much is known about that species. OTher species are much more detailed.