Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was changing the water dish of my friend false water cobra, which is really "tame". I posted earlier and decided to get a mangrove instead of a FWC, anyways the reason I did not get a FWC is because of their feeding response. As I reached in slowly he struck and tagged me on the forearm. I went to the ER to be safe and sure and found that it was a dry bite! I was just wondering if this is a normal thing to happen, getting more dry bites than envenomation? Seeing as how they are rear fanged, but when they are 7 ft long, does that matter at all? It was a stupid thing to do and am glad to have learned that I am not ready to own a FWC, and will take baby steps to be safe in the future. Maybe next year, i am not giving up yet.

Tony Butler

Dry bites are typical for most colubrids, symptomatic bites are the exception, even for thelarger, more potentially dangerous species.

How long did it hang on and chew?

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

it's rare to get a bite that has enough venom to cause a reaction from a rear fanged snake, even rarer to get a reaction that warrants a visit to the ER. You have to keep in mind that the purpose of a rear-fanged snakes venom is to subdue prey its not primarily defensive, and unless you allow the snake to chew, you are not in much danger. I wouldn't let this incident deter you. Not that you shouldn't be careful, but the reason that most of here keep rear-fanged snakes, is that mistakes in handling are more forgivable. I would say that you might think twice about keeping a rattle snake or a cobra, but with rear-fanged snakes, you should still feel confident.

Learn the lesson but don't feel bad about it. I've been tagged dozens of times by rearfangers and envenomated frequently. You used sense in how you handled it. Sounds to me like you are ready for a FWC of your own.

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

Thank you guys for the help and support, like i said it was a dry bite and I went to the er to make sure that it wasnt going to be fatal, such as a bee or wasp sting would be to me,(i am severly allergic to bees) he chewed for a few seconds, probably 2 or 3 chomps, and the fangs didn penetrate, or no venom was ejected, as for the FWC I am going to get one, soon but when I feel comforatble enough to own one for myself. i dont want to get a animal and be scared of it.

Tony Butler