Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just informed by someone on another forum that the venom may be similar to that of rattlesnake venom, only with a crude delivery system, and that serious envenomations have occured. This person did mention the knowledge of the venom was a bit sketchy at best. I just got this girl who so far has shown no inclination to bite and is in fact very relaxed when being handled. Any experts out there on false water cobra's? Any input would be greatly appreciated. For now I think I will continue NOT to mention to my girlfriend that this girl is rear fanged!
Don

I read through alot of previous posts here and have spoken with several people at shows who have been bit and they all describe the bite as similar to a bee sting with mild swelling and alot of bleeding, but nothing serious.
Don

I knew of one person who was bitten by a large specimen, but only experienced swelling and mild bleeding for awhile. The swelling subsided rather quickly.
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Roy Blodgett

1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
0.1 Uroplatus henkeli
0.1 Corytophanes cristatus
2.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

That's what I keep hearing. I just received several references on the venom I'm going to check out when I have more time. One that I looked at briefly was talking about the person having arrythmias and severe edema. This is all on the rat snake forum for anyone interested. Could obviously be an allergic reaction. Regardless I really like this girl and if I'm careful hopefully I won't get bit.
Don
PS Hopefully I'll do a better job than with a couple of my kingsnakes who seem to delight in mistaking me for food.

nm

Looks like you got a really nice looking girl there. I love this species. I have kept one for about 2 years and I can proudly say that I have never been bit, though my male will certianly give it his best shot. I have come across a very long (over 25 pages) PDF report on the various toxicities and levels of protein activity in several rear-fanged colubrid species. The false water cobra ranked among the highest in venom yeild and venom potency. This really isn't that surprising considering just how large this species can get you would imagine it is capable of producing a large amount of venom. At any rate, this recearch article concludes that mg for mg false water cobra venom is significantly potent, though as mentioned before the lack of an efficient delivery system makes this fact almost mute. In conclusion, yes it has a venom potency comparable to many Crotalus (rattlesnake) species but for all intensive purposes it's poor venom delivery system makes it almost harmless to a large mammal like yourself, barring any sort of allregic reaction mind you. Have fun with this species, it is very rewarding to keep and the danger is low, but for heavens sake please avoid getting bitten, its the only surefire way to stay safe. Send me your e-mail address if you want the 25 page research article as I would be happy to share it. Happy herping!

Jarryd

has any one noticed a difference between male and female temperments?

ive noticed my female brazilian rainbow boa is as docile as can be while my friends male brazilian rainbow is extremly aggressive and will bite all things that move.

does this apply to FWC's at all?

It all depends on your body time how healthy you are and how much venom is injected. I work at a zoo and we keep are large FWC just like are elapids and other venomus snakes just because the bigger they are the more chance of a serius bite. My boss has told me that so far they have described being closely constructed like timber rattle snake venom.