Well I have owned my dusky for about 5 years or so now. I always love to research around for new info etc on him. One thing that always got me wondering is that I always come across "a bite is usually not fatal" and the other thing says "there have been no recorded deaths". What's the deal here? If a bite is usually not fatal that means someone died, contradicting the no recorded deaths. Does anyone have any factual evidence? I searched the internet but couldn't find anything.
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Death from pygmy?
blueta
Feb 16, 2006 12:35 PM
Replies (3)
psilocybe
Feb 16, 2006 02:32 PM
To my knowledge, there has not been a death directly attributable to a pigmy rattlesnake. The same statistic has been said about copperheads as well, that no one has died from a copperhead bite. However, in '04 I believe, a man was bitten once on each hand by a copperhead and died of anaphylaxis...so technically, the copperhead didn't kill him, an allergic reaction to the venom did...so that kinda complicates statistics.
Bottom line: A pigmy bite is UNLIKELY to be fatal. It does not mean that other things like anaphylaxis won't though, and there is no guarentee that you are not hypersensitive to the venom or some other "abnormality" from most people who have been bitten by pigs.
Greg Longhurst
Feb 17, 2006 04:28 AM
The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake has not, to my knowledge, caused any fatalities. That said, I do not doubt that a large snake could kill a small child. I do know of an adult male who was treated with in excess of 20 vials of Cro-Fab for one's bite. Physically okay..financially probably never.
I have one book, written by a physician, who credits the copperhead with at least one human fatality.
Both of these snakes should be handled with equipment designed for them & treated as if they could kill you. Giving them any less respect than that could re-write the books.
Y'all stay safe. ~~Greg~~
Florida's Venomous Snakes
blueta
Feb 18, 2006 11:44 AM
Well I never handle him with my bare hands. When I have to take him out of the cage for cleaning I use a hook and keep shoes on (he has been known to slide off the hook from time to time). I wouldn't play it unsafe just cause no one died from it. Still would hurt like hell and put a huge dent in my wallet. Thanks guys!
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