Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Not sre if this is in the right place or not since I find info on the Mussurana here and in the rear fanged forum but I had a couple questions pertaining to the venom and keeping of a rear fanged snake.

Most of the info I have read says that mussurana venom is harmless to humans and the they are uninclined to bite. But I have also read topics in which people would say that the would love to get one (meaning a mussurana) but didnt know if they were up to the task or afraid of dealing with a rear fanged snake. I have seen pictures of people free handling them with their hands but I have also heard of some people only using hooks with them. If the bite is similar to any other snake of similar size biting you I wouldn't see the problem but I guess if it bites you and puts you outta commission for a day or so that would be a pretty big deal.

I do not have any snakes currently but the mussurana has always interested me. I was keeping an ally snapper until recently and for obvious reasons you dont want to get bit by them but the venom and rear fanged info I have read about the mussurana makes it tough to form an opinion with such a broad range of info out there. Any info or thoguhts are appreciated.

Thanks

I don't treat them quite like a hot, but I treat them with respect and caution. I use hooks. When they latch on to prey, you don't want them doing that to your hands...they don't seem to let go of anything.

As for the danger, I would not rank them even close to vipers or elapids, but I still see no reason to treat them like you do not want to be bit. But that is just me.

My rules for the mussuranas are:
1: Don't handle with prey scent on hands
1: Use hooks to remove them from cage
1: Don't handle them at night when they are hunting

I wouldn't say their venom is harmless... but if you tend to be sensitive or allergic to things like bee stings, I wouldn't work with them.

If I follow rules 1 through 1, they seem to be as trustworthy as any snake I've ever had.

Doug T

Doug Taylor Reptiles

I read through my post again and it was not typed correctly.

I meant to say...I still see no reason not to treat them like you do not want to be bit.

I simple terms...do what Doug said.

I have had some experience with these animals. Most of the experience was while I was living in Panama. I have caught several of them and kept them for short periods. My experience with them is that they can be a totally wirey snake, extremely strong, and somewhat flighty at first. They calm down quickly. Not one of the wild specimens attempted to bite when captured. Even though, I handled them carefully. The average snake was 5 feet or so long and the largest was a few inches less than 9 feet. Built like an indigo but with the strength of a large boa. The biting (grip) capability is equal to or greater than an indigo. They have very powerful jaws and teeth meant to hang on with. That coupled with the constrictor capability, if one were to grab you and want to hang on, you would be hard pressed to get it off before it could bring the rear fangs into play. In 1985 I read an account of a keeper in South America being bitten on the hand during feeding. He was unable to remove the snake before the snake had hung onto him for quite a while. They did not think the snake was dangerous so there was not a need for urgency "in their minds". The fellow spent several days in the hospital bleeding from every hole he had in his body and there was kidney complications. He recovered completely but was a sick puppy for several days. They had a newfound respect for the animal after that.

To this day, I regard this snake as a true king of the snake world. I have seen a 6 foot Fer-de-Lance turn into a scared running crazy snake when a 3 foot Mussurana was placed in the same cage. Even though there was no chance the Fer-de-Lance could be eaten, the Mussurana latched onto it about 6 inches behind the head and wrapped around it like a spring. It would have killed the Fer-de-Lance had we not intervened. I was not wanting the attack, I was only wanting to see if the Fer-de-Lance would run. But, it all happened like a lightning strike. I do not remember a single food item presented to the Mussuranas that did not recognize immediately what the threat from the Mussurana was. Even domestic mice would immediately get to the furthest corner of the cage and not move until the snake found it.

A very impressive snake that I would like to keep again.

Good luck, and if you get them do be careful with them.

!

That was the single best rundown of a snake species and its characteristics and behaviors I have ever read - just awesome!!

Thanks,

Alan

I could not agree more that this is indeed the king of the snake world. (at least pound for pound, a 350 lb anaconda or a 17 ft king cobra might not react with the same fear I suppose)

I am sure most people have read the bite account in Venomous Snakes of the Western Hemisphere where an infant was bit while sleeping by a juvenile mussurana. There was swelling and the child was taken to the hospital and given Bothrops AV (which did not likely help things, but thats a new topic). The child made a full recovery with no limb loss.