Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a new shippment in and had a pair of red diamonds arrive in the same bag. It appears that one had bite the other. One has a puncture mark just behind his head and about a inch behind his head is swollen. Is the red diamond immune To another red diamonds venom or will he die?

Chances are the snake will survive. The venom should be of no consequence, but the fangs may have done some damage. You may want to let your supplier know that separate bags are a good idea.

~~Greg~~

as Greg said, it's not the venom so much as it is what gets puntured by the fangs. As long as a vital organ is not injured it will probably be ok. From a safety factor (yours and the snakes) they should have been bagged separately.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

As the others stated, most pitvipers are immune to their own venom. The only concern is a fang puncturing an organ. A few days ago, I heard a commotion in a cage behind me and since I was tending to some bushmasters, didn't think much of it. Later however, I noticed one of my yellow Colombian lanceheads, had a dark spot below its eye. I thought at first it was a tick, wondering "What the ???" After putting 2 and 2 together I realized, the female got excited thinking it was feeding time and tagged the male, with 1 fang landing right below the eye. Here are two pics....notice the blood spot right below the left eye.

The fang area really ballooned up and I was very concerned, but as these Bothrops are the scariest species I've ever worked with, I figured, whatever happens, HAPPENS! Fortunately by morning, the swelling COMPLETELY subsided!!! Thus far, no cloudiness of the eye or panopthalmitis has developed.

better view of the blood spot below the left eye.

Matt, quite the timing considering this discussion. Keep us appraised to the outcome. I did have a Davis Mtn lep take a head strike feeding responce and it did not survive.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

Will do. The snake ate a few days later, so I think it'll be fine, although, secondary infection could lead to Panopthalmitis, which would then require an aminoglycoside to fight off bacteria....IRONICALLY, I had a similar condition happen with a pair of klauberi 10 years ago, and we treated it successfully with Amikacin as well as daily swabs of the mouth with Betadine.

MCH