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Somebody have information of the venom of the genus Thamnodynastes?
I have heard cases that present the same symptoms of a bite from Bothrops, but obviously in less potency. Besides I have heard that it is possible to need an artificial respirator.
What do you think?

Thanks in advance,
PhilodryasFAN

P.D: Sorry for my bad english.

I dont believe so. I think Thamnodynastes is not dangerous and it doesnt shows any cases of problems in Brazil.
Where are you from?

I'm from Argentina.
A doctor specialized in native venomous snakes told me that there was a case of a bite from Thamnodynastes spp. that displayed the same symptoms that a bite from Bothrops.
Besides, a friend who is biologist in Peru, told me that in that country there were some cases that required medical attention.

Later,
PhilodryasFAN

We haven't studied these yet but the South American 'colubrid' snakes are certainly on our list to have a look at. Some species certainly have been responsible for significant envenomation but I am not sure if Thamnodynastes is amongst those (I can't find anything in the literature at the moment but that doesn't really mean much, absense of evidence is not the same as evidence of absense). However, considering that they are related to Tomodon and Tachmenis which have caused significant envenomations, the possibility can't be ruled out. If the Thamnodynastes have big fangs then this is evidence of significant use of venom in predation and therefore the possibility of envenomation to a human higher. The big back fangs in species such as Heterodon, Tomodon, Xenodon, etc. are not (contrary to popular myth) used for popping toads but rather for delivering venom.

All the best
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
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Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
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Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
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http://www.venomdoc.com

Thanks a lot for the answer.
Indeed they can have a big fangs (T. strigatus reaches a good size), so I can see the possibility to a significant envenomation too.

Later,
PhilodryasFAN

Here, in Brazil, I never heard any cases of it.

Thamnodynastes can certainly cause pain and swelling - there are some old papers showing this. I have been bitten twice, and suffered mild burning pain for ~ one hour in one case and 15 mins in another (the only times I have ever had symptoms from a colubrid bite, despite having been bitten by others with worse reputations). However, a Venezuelan colleague reported mild neurotoxicity (a feeling of drunkenness and fatigue, difficulty keeping the eyes open) after being bitten. There are a number of species of Thamnodynastes, so there may well be differences between them.

As BGF noted, they are closely related to Tomodon and Tachymenis, and the latter is certainly a seriously dangerous snake that can put an adult human in hospital without difficulty. Like with all colubrids, it is a good idea to avoid being that one in a thousand case that takes a full hit and shows the world what that species can do under the right circumstances.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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Thank you very very much!!
Your information really liked me.
By curiosity... what species of Thamnodynastes bit you?

Thanks again!
PhilodryasFAN

>>Thank you very very much!!
>>Your information really liked me.
>>By curiosity... what species of Thamnodynastes bit you?

T. pallidus in Suriname and T. strigatus in Brazil, as far as I can make out - the taxonomy of this genus is pretty confused, and I know of several undescribed species.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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