Venomus Pythons? New research Benefits Snakebite Victims

findi · May 22, 2013

Hi All,

In recent years, researchers have found toxins in a wide array of snakes and lizards formerly believed to be harmless…even the Bearded Dragon is not above suspicion (please see below), but venomous pythons? While working at the Bronx Zoo, I was several times called upon to assist in confiscating snakes that had appeared in the pet trade before we learned of their potentially lethal venom (i.e. Asian Watersnakes, genus Rhabdophis). All evidence of toxicity must be taken seriously…bear in mind that both the Boomslang and Savanna Twig Snake were thought to be harmless until each killed a prominent herpetologist! The recent discovery of toxins in the mucus of certain pythons poses a unique and unexpected concern for snakebite victims.\

Studies at the University of Queensland have revealed the presence of toxins in the mucus of several python species. Read more here Venomous Pythons? - Snakebite Victims Benefit from New Research

Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog

MikeyTN · May 22, 2013

Thanks Frank for another interesting article even though I'm not a snake fan but I'll be sure to stay away from pythons now ...lol

findi · May 22, 2013

MikeyTN said:
Thanks Frank for another interesting article even though I'm not a snake fan but I'll be sure to stay away from pythons now ...lol

Very kind of you to write in, thanks! Some collection of birds you have there!

Best, Frank

aliray · May 23, 2013

Frank In Teusday's paper their was an aricle from Miami Dade County about an 18foot 8 inch Burmese python was caught and killed on the side of the road It weighed 128 lbs It was killed on May 11 and is the largest found so far and the body was turned into the wildlife commision. It was caught by a Jason Leon. Brave guy. That is not a snake I want to see slithering through my back yard

SparkkiSparkS · May 23, 2013

The media has made the burmese pythons in the everglades look WAY worse than it really is. Snakes (especially burms) are my first love and I own and have owned many burms over the years and even bred them. I have been bit by pythons 100s of times captive bread and wild caught ones and still would rather get bit by an 12ft one than my IRN any day! Interesting to hear about this venomous stuff though. People still don't see to understand how gentle they really are.

aliray · May 23, 2013

The problem with having them loose and breeding in the everglades is the damage that they are doing to the native species plus the fact that they thrive and multiply and are not just found in the everglades. Their range is spreading and have even been found within about 10 to 15 miles from my house and I live on the gulf coast side of Florida about 35 miles south of Sarasota Fla.

findi · May 23, 2013

Hi All,

Thanks for the interest.

Re feral Burmese pythons in Fla: I've spent most of my career as a herpetologist (Bx Zoo, field research, etc.)...30+ years, along with work in the pet trade, animal importing., prior to that. I've responded to several deaths caused by captive Burmese pythons...not likely, of course, and yes, dogs, pigs and other farm/domestic animals, and even bees, do kill more people annualy in the USA. But snakes of that size must be regulated, and almost never are suitable for private collections. re "gentle"...with all due respect, this is not an appropriate term to apply to any species of reptile, and where dangerous animals are involved it is especially inadvisable. Re bites..these should be avoided at all costs, and never taken lightly; I and colleagues have been hospitalized from infections caused by the bites of non venomous snakes and other creatures; we know little, in most cases, about the bacteria and other micro-organisms they can transmit.deaths and near deaths have resulted (as they can, rarely, from a simple wound inflicted by a thorn, etc.) Sorry for my tone, but after having been involved in such tragic incidences, not to mention numerous bites inflicted by captive venomous snakes, I feel a responsibility to clear up the misconceptions surrounding these animals.

As far as their effect on the ecosystem, it is grave, and not likely to ever be reversed; yes, there are dozens of naturalized exotic herps in Fla, not to mention inverts, plants, fishes, birds and mammals, but this does not lessen the impact of new arrivals. Best regards, frank

Jtbirds · May 23, 2013

I always love when you post something on here it is always so interesting thank you frank!

findi · May 23, 2013

Jtbirds said:
I always love when you post something on here it is always so interesting thank you frank!

Much appreciated!

aliray · May 24, 2013

findi said:
Hi All,

Thanks for the interest.

Re feral Burmese pythons in Fla: I've spent most of my career as a herpetologist (Bx Zoo, field research, etc.)...30+ years, along with work in the pet trade, animal importing., prior to that. I've responded to several deaths caused by captive Burmese pythons...not likely, of course, and yes, dogs, pigs and other farm/domestic animals, and even bees, do kill more people annualy in the USA. But snakes of that size must be regulated, and almost never are suitable for private collections. re "gentle"...with all due respect, this is not an appropriate term to apply to any species of reptile, and where dangerous animals are involved it is especially inadvisable. Re bites..these should be avoided at all costs, and never taken lightly; I and colleagues have been hospitalized from infections caused by the bites of non venomous snakes and other creatures; we know little, in most cases, about the bacteria and other micro-organisms they can transmit.deaths and near deaths have resulted (as they can, rarely, from a simple wound inflicted by a thorn, etc.) Sorry for my tone, but after having been involved in such tragic incidences, not to mention numerous bites inflicted by captive venomous snakes, I feel a responsibility to clear up the misconceptions surrounding these animals.

As far as their effect on the ecosystem, it is grave, and not likely to ever be reversed; yes, there are dozens of naturalized exotic herps in Fla, not to mention inverts, plants, fishes, birds and mammals, but this does not lessen the impact of new arrivals. Best regards, frank

.................Thanks Frank you expressed what I was trying to say a lot better than I could. Love your posts

findi · May 25, 2013

Thanks Frank you expressed what I was trying to say a lot better than I could. Love your posts

Thanks very much..touchy subject; I appreciate the kind words, have a nice weekend, Frank

antoinette · May 25, 2013

Very very interesting posts, you have nailed it again Frank

I do have a distant relationship with a Python
The further away the better

Jokes aside when I was very young while on vacation, I was attached by a snake it wrapped itself around my ankle after I had fallen near it. A guy walking passed with a little girl on his shoulder's managed to free the snake from my ankle. Not even sure what kind of a snake it was..........
I am still very fearful of all snakes today.

aliray · May 25, 2013

Ant

That had to be scary. I fortunately had a boy cousin that was 6 mo older than me and a real critter lover. He taught me how to pick up and hold snakes when I was quite young. It got me over my fear and I learned to like and respect them. I still do if they belong here.

antoinette · May 25, 2013

aliray said:
Ant That had to be scary. I fortunately had a boy cousin that was 6 mo older than me and a real critter lover. He taught me how to pick up and hold snakes when I was quite young. It got me over my fear and I learned to like and respect them. I still do if they belong here.

I do respect them... from a distance

Not long ago at a bird park I went close to the enclosure where the snakes were kept. Even stood near the window almost face to face with a Boomslang..... I am getting there

findi · May 25, 2013

antoinette said:
Very very interesting posts, you have nailed it again Frank

I do have a distant relationship with a Python
The further away the better

Jokes aside when I was very young while on vacation, I was attached by a snake it wrapped itself around my ankle after I had fallen near it. A guy walking passed with a little girl on his shoulder's managed to free the snake from my ankle. Not even sure what kind of a snake it was..........
I am still very fearful of all snakes today.

Hi Antoinett, thanks for the kind words; many native ratsnakes (I'm assuming, as it coiled)will react to nearby movements with a strike, esp. if startled; while working in Venezuela, we did observe/partly document an adult green anaconda attack on a co-worker; feeding mode. despite being "swallowable" size, my co worker later tried to lure the snake into another attack so we could film it (snake had a transponed) but she awas unsuccessful! best, frank

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