We haven't studied these yet but the South American 'colubrid' snakes are certainly on our list to have a look at. Some species certainly have been responsible for significant envenomation but I am not sure if Thamnodynastes is amongst those (I can't find anything in the literature at the moment but that doesn't really mean much, absense of evidence is not the same as evidence of absense). However, considering that they are related to Tomodon and Tachmenis which have caused significant envenomations, the possibility can't be ruled out. If the Thamnodynastes have big fangs then this is evidence of significant use of venom in predation and therefore the possibility of envenomation to a human higher. The big back fangs in species such as Heterodon, Tomodon, Xenodon, etc. are not (contrary to popular myth) used for popping toads but rather for delivering venom.

All the best
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
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Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
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Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
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http://www.venomdoc.com

[ Hide Replies ]

• Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - PhilodryasFAN, Tue Aug 10 17:40:18 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - Bushmaster, Thu Aug 12 07:07:48 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - PhilodryasFAN, Thu Aug 12 09:15:07 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - BGF, Thu Aug 12 23:57:56 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - PhilodryasFAN, Fri Aug 13 08:19:05 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - Bushmaster, Fri Aug 13 06:34:09 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - WW, Fri Aug 13 11:22:17 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - PhilodryasFAN, Fri Aug 13 16:12:21 2004
• RE: Venom of Thamnodynastes spp. - WW, Sat Aug 14 03:31:15 2004