Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Can anyone tell me where I can find some good information on the Telescopus fallax (European Cat Snake). The only information I found so far was on the book called "Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe (Princeton Field Guides)".

Thanks
is_serp

Hi mate

We looked at the venom of Telescopus dhara. It was full of the classic cobra-style neurotoxins (called three-finger toxins). You can download the paper from the link below.

Cheers
B

www.venomdoc.com
Colubroidea snake venom paper

Thanks Dr. Fry.

I already got that paper and am following the discussion on it on another forum

is_serp

No worries mate. We were blown away with how cool the Telescopus are. One thing noticed was the convergent evolution for body style and niche between the Telescopus, Boiga trigonata and Trimorphodon. All have a similar morphology and all hang out under rocks feeding in various geckos and other lizards. Similar venom too even though they have all been separated for a long long time.

We always laughed at the Trimorphodon acting like really tough corn snakes The size of the venom glands of the Trimorphodon wasn't a laughing matter though! But they have pretty crappy back fangs so aren't the most flash venom deliverers in the world. So while evenomations are possible by Trimorphodon, with a bit of sensible foresight the likelihood is pretty low. However, the venom itself it quite potent and there's a lot of it.

Cheers
B

Oops, mia culpa, typo in action. Its the Telescopus species NOT Trimorphodon that have the big venom glands. The ones in Trimorphodon are Boiga sized and not massive outsized things like Telescopus. Telescopus are the ones to potentially smack you hard, I'd rate Trimorphodon as very low risk.

Cheers
B

You are right though about some acting like bad-assed corn snakes (Trimorphodon). My female T. b. vandenburgi is a total terror (in her own mind), though my male T.b. lambda is totally passive....Frank

Yeah we always thought it was so cute

Cheers
B