>>is a latin american species which seems to mimic Bothriopsis bilineatus (top photo). Although there is a reported death from Xenodon, it is mostly placid in nature once it gets conditioned to people viewing it. But of course it is never handled. When I first received it, it flattend its head and raised up like a hognose does but now it stopped its acting. Interesting species to say the least. Eats toads and frogs.

Beautiful snake, and truly a remarkable mimic.

The "case" of death from Xenodon is very poorly documented and certainly open to question - the case was cited uncriticaly by an author who heard about it from someone else - the ID of theoffendingsnake must be open to question, to put it mildly. No other serious Xenodon bites have been documented, despite the fact that this is a common genus. Mind you, looking at the sizeof the fangs, I suspect a bite from a large specimen would hurt like a mutha from the physical injury alone...

Cheers,

WW
-----
WW Home

[ Show Entire Thread ]