It is true, but understand that it applies to almost all colubrid snakes. Technically venomous? Yes. Dangerous? No, save for the rare instance of a severe allergic reaction.

Chances are if you keep snakes you've kept a species that is technically venomous. The notable exceptions are the North American Ratsnakes, Bull/Pinesnakes, King/Milksnakes, etc.

I have kept two types of Diadam Ratsnakes and have been bitten by both. I do get a bit of localized itching, very similar to when I'm bitten by Gartersnakes or Watersnakes.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

[ Hide Replies ]

• diadem rat snakes - scottyt, Tue Jul 5 10:03:08 2005
• RE: diadem rat snakes - chris_harper2, Tue Jul 5 13:48:57 2005
• RE: diadem rat snakes - phiber_optikx, Tue Jul 5 15:47:21 2005
• Good question. I just found out they are venemous... - birddog5151, Tue Jul 5 18:30:01 2005
• RE: Good question. I just found out they are venemous... - chaoscat, Sun Jul 17 02:52:10 2005
• venomous colubrids - chris_harper2, Tue Jul 5 19:14:17 2005
• Thanks, but... - birddog5151, Tue Jul 5 20:01:38 2005
• RE: Thanks, but... - chris_harper2, Tue Jul 5 21:51:24 2005
• RE: Thanks, but... - rearfang, Sun Jul 31 10:48:17 2005