Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys

I am a non venomous keeper and although I would like to keep venomous some day this is going to be a few years off at least.

I am simply asking the question from curiosity - I have read alot of the Twig Snake and have read that there is no AV for it (as I have seen with other species - Stedge Vipers etc.). I just wondered why this is. Is it because:- a). They are unable to do it (the scientists) b). the demand is not there for the AV to be produced or c). some other reason

Just curious as I assume that all AV are produced using the same methods so if they can produce it for a Boomslang, Cobra, Rattler etc. etc. etc. why not for other species?

Thanks in advance for any response
Ben

The reason is most likely that not enough people are bitten and envenomated by Twig snakes each year to make an antivenin worth making. Creating antivenin is a very time involved and expensive process, and requires a LOT of snakes to milk for their venom to produce the antivenin. Though the Twig snake is considered a deadly colubrid, I personally haven't heard of many envenomations, actually I think I've only heard of one, and this was a LONG time ago. The same applies to the Sedge viper...not enough people bitten and seriously envenomated to warrant the creation of an antivenin. Hope this helps.

Hi Ben,

from a business perspective, antivenin products do not differ significantly from other pharmaceutical products, except that it is very expensive to manufacture and generates a relatively small amount of revenue. Pharmaceutical companies enter the antivenin market only if they expect to make a significant profit in response to the potential demand. If there is no money to be made, most companies will not even consider the product.

Thelotornis bites are generally quite rare, because it is a highly camoflaged, alert arboreal species that does not frequently come into contact with humans. Due to the lack of demand and the high cost of production, it is unlikely that there will be antivenin produced for Thelotornis in the near future.

Regards,

~TE

np