Reptile & Amphibian Forums

this is an average joe asking some questions about the palm viper:

How potent is the venom(Heard it was "slightly venomous", what are the effects?

How difficult are they to care for?

I currently keep arboral boids, what am i getting my self into?

And if that is a palm viper atop of the classified where do i aquire a specime like that?

thanks for the info
j

Sri Lankin Palm Viper's( Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) are front fanged vipers. Not rear-fanged Coloubrids.
Whoever described the snakes venom to you as mild probably needs to get slapped. The snake is capable of taking fingers hands and lives. From what I read captive born animals are hardy requiring fairly high humidity.

Read the above post and memorise it. Any Palm viper species should be treated as a DEADLY snake. Some are...some aren't, but that is not the point. They can strike amazingly fast from what appears to be a almost comatose condition- and in ANY direction! Some are hardy, some are not. Humidity and temp are big issues. talk to someone who has worked (and can prove successfully) with the species you keep. All being said, Palm Vipers are great snakes and I enjoy keeping them (though, regretfully, I do not have Trigons).

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

The info was of great help, I do not feel a slapping is in good order, but if the snake may have taken my hand I would beat him silly with a stump.

Anyway, that doesent seem to be the animal i should start out with. I am looking in to asian vines I have seen the handled with regularity, and am curiuos to what effect their venom has on humans, and on the prey? If all goes well, I have been looking at these general species of vine, tell me what you think is the best to start with and if possible where to obtain a healthy specimen?

Ahaetulla Hasuta, Ahaetulla Parasina, Oxybelis Fulgidus, and Thelatornis Kirtlandi. These are just a few i found, If you have any suggestions please feel free to spout the knowledge my way.

Later
j

Ok...looking at your list.....

T. kirtlandi (Twig snake) Never kept it. Word is that they are hardy and not ill natured. They are Lethal.

Oxebellus fulgidus (Green vine Snake) Kept a few. Generaly bad tempered snakes that eat mice readily. Require at the very least a 55gl tank for a home. large specimens can envenomate, but to my experience, it is rather mild. Still take care in handling.

Ahaetula sp. (Long nosed Vine) A small (under 4') active group that has the unique quality of having Binocular vision due to the forward placement of the eyes. A lizard eater, the venom is very mild. This is probably your best pick for a starter. Scan thru these posts for care recomendations.

Plus:

B. dendraphila (the Mangrove Snake) a larger (to about 7')species. can be tricky to get started (need to be kept moist when young) Venom not an issue in babies, though larger specimens should be handled carefully. can sometimes be nippy.

Boiga sp. (Cat Snakes) All members of this genus are reasonably safe if you apply sensible handling techiques. None are lethal but some are potent enough to cause concern. Learn about the individual before you buy.

Chrysopelea (Flying Snakes) Three species. Mainly lizard and frog eaters (though the two larger species will take mice). Hardy. Venom mild. Best kept moist and not handled.

Langha nastra (Madagascar Twig) Inoffensive, mild venom should not be an issue. Eats lizards.

Hope this will help.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

If all goes well, I have been looking at these general species of vine, tell me what you think is the best to start with and if possible where to obtain a healthy specimen?

Vine snakes are generally shy snakes that are fairly easily stressed. They should be handled only when necessary, and then very carefully, as their body structure is rather fragile.

You should quickly forget about Thelotornis, as their venom is lethally haemotoxic and there is no antivenin produced for snakes of this genus. They can also be lightning fast, and are - despite their inoffensive nature - definitely not suitable for a beginner.

Ahaetulla are not very toxic, but require somewhat advanced husbandry techniques. They are classic lizard feeders, and are not easily switched to a rodent diet.

Oxybelis are easier to care for than Ahaetulla, and will usually accept rodents as prey. If you want to keep vine snakes, then these will likely be your best bet. Keep in mind that they can get fairly long, so you will a spacious setup to accomodate their size and habits.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

~TE

I have 2.1 Trimeresurus trigonocephalus myself which I've raised since they were neonates. They are now about two and a half years old. Definitely my favorite Trimeresurus species.

Regarding their venom I have to disagree with you. I have (or have at least read) most of what has been published in the scientific literature regarding this species in particular and other Sri Lankan snakes in general over the last few decades. Not a single death seem to be knon, despite an estimated 2-300 bites in Sri Lanka each year. Loss of limbs or fingers also seem to be unknown. All this despite there being no antivenom.

Of course, this is in no way a reason to be careless when keeping or handling the species. I simply feel that one should be aware of the likely outcome regardless of how bad or good it is. I've never been bitten myself and I certainly doesn't intend to; I handle my trigs just as carefully as I would a more dangerous species. After all, you can never know exactly how you are going to react and I would definitely hate to be the first to get an exceptionally bad envenoming. But I can't in good conscience say that the species is deadly or likely to cause loss of limbs. If you have any information to the contrary I would obviously like to hear about it!

/Sundberg