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Posted by deathstalker on March 20, 2003 at 20:56:41:
In Reply to: Venom? posted by cyberfrog on March 18, 2003 at 19:52:46:
First, which group of hognose snakes are you talking about? Heterodon, Lioheterodon, or Lystrophis?
For a while, Heterodon was said to have Duvernoy's glands and mildly potent venom that, if bitten, would only cause the slightest local effect. However, the most recent information I have heard--which was about six months ago--defied this theory, and thus Heterodon spp. are "rear fangs," or not true rear fangs. Their enlarged rear teeth are only for the use of puncturing and deflating their preferred prey: toads. And as for being pierced by these--believe it or not--hyperdermic needle-like teeth, a hognose snake would have to chew on you a little, in which case you usually have enough time to safely pry the snake's jaws off of you.
As for Lioheterodon, they do in fact have venom, but it's mild and of absolutely no threat to humans, even if an allergic reaction were to occur. As for being pierced, they, too, would have to chew on you a little. If actually pierced and envenomated, though, just wash it out good, maybe even apply some alcohol.
And as for Lystrophis, I honestly don't know if they're venomous or not, but if so, it's mildly so. They definitely have rear fangs, though, used for the same purpose as Heterodon, to puncture and deflate their preferred prey: toads (and frogs). They, too, would have to chew on you a little to pierce and possibly envenomate(?) you.
