Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Which of the three sidewinders has the most potent venom or are they all basically the same. Also between pigmys and sidewinders which has the more toxic venom. One more thing is does anyone know how many fatalities have been recorded from C.v. oreganus? I am wondering because I was bitten by a C.v.o about two years ago and only required a few hours of medical attention, although the next day my arm hurt like hell it wasn't serious. How many serious bites has this species caused within the last say 4-5 years, I am just curious? Oh yeah about 1 or 2 weeks after the bite I broke out in hives from the hystamines leaving my system. Does this happen to everyone or just a select few?

Thanks for any replies given,

Jeremy
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1.1 C. cerastes
1.0 Ball python
0.1 Columbian red tail
0.1 Argentine boa
0.1 Dumerils boa
0.0.1 Albino bannana cal king
1.1.3 Leopard geckos
1 Male albino
1 Female het albino, blizzard, jungle
1 ? albino
1 ? patternless
1 ? not normal but I dont know what it is
0.0.3 Rough skin newts
0.0.1 Whites tree frog

Here's a link that might give you some insight. Dr. Brian G. Fry is probably one of the best resources to answer your questions although I'm sure Dr. Wolfgang Wuster can answer you as well if he has time to check this forum. If not you can post your question on the venomous forum and probably get the info you need.

I would guess that all 3 ssp of cerastes are considered close in venom composition.
I would also guess that pigmy's would be lower on the LD50 scale than cerastes but the toxinology site only lists cerastes cerastes and not the southwestern ssp.

I don't know if there is an accurate answer to your last question but the fact is that you were really fortunate that your symptoms were that minimal. A number of factors play into how bad a bite can be and you happened to get a break that day. A good size oreganus could potentially cause a lot more problems. Just hope that's the last bite you ever get.

Be safe and Happy Holidays.
Link

Thanks for the help, I will check out BGF's web site. I have looked at it before but some of the toxinoligy is pretty hard for me to understand. I really hope that will be the last bite I take as well and yes I to believe I got lucky on that one. I definately have become a zillion times for responsible and respectful of these animals that is for sure. Anyways thanks again and have a happy holiday.

Jeremy Mcmanmon
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1.1 C. cerastes
1.0 Ball python
0.1 Columbian red tail
0.1 Argentine boa
0.1 Dumerils boa
0.0.1 Albino bannana cal king
1.1.3 Leopard geckos
1 Male albino
1 Female het albino, blizzard, jungle
1 ? albino
1 ? patternless
1 ? not normal but I dont know what it is
0.0.3 Rough skin newts
0.0.1 Whites tree frog

You should be more specific... when I saw the post title I thought you were asking about Cerastes c. instead of C. cerastes
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

_>

I'm in the Crotalid forum... silly me! I get these all mixed up!
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?