Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, Today I was at the Baltimore Aquarium and was taken away by the beauty of the green vine snake. For some time now, I've had the notion of purchasing one of this snakes in the back of my mind, and today confirmed that I would really like to.

I have a few questions for all of ya vine snake experts that would help me figure out if a vine snake is right for me. First of all, tell me all and as much as possible about their venom! I have about 50 snakes of my own, from corn snakes to pythons (bloods and borneos) as well as a yellow Anacona (and everything in between) but have never kept anything more venemous than a hognose snake! lol I am experienced and familiar with snakes, i've experienced problem feeders and have a hoast of proven methods to get them to eat. Also, I am experienced with very nippy snakes! I have 5 Amazon tree boas. Is the venom of the vine snake worth worying about? I've never been allergic to any stings (be stings, wasp stings) and am able to take the pain very well.

Another thing is which species would be best to start out with? When I clicked on the "Rear-fanged" forum, I saw a picture of some kind of vine snake that had the most amazing colors! What species is it? Is it harder to come by? Harder to care for? More venemous!? How about feeding, are their any species that more readily except mice? Help!

Nathan

When you say vine snake, are you referring to the Ahaetulla genus? If so, their bites are not likely to produce anything more than local ache and a bit of swelling.

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

Hi, when I say vine snakes, I'm talking about the kinds that have the pointy noises. I think the species name is Oxybelis or something, if I'm not mistaken. I'm interested in knowing the seariousness of a bite from any species in the Oxybelis family. Also, that really beautiful specimen pictured when one clicks on the "rear-fanged" forum, I am interested in finding more out about that species, is it an Oxybelis?

Nathan

>>Hi, when I say vine snakes, I'm talking about the kinds that have the pointy noises. I think the species name is Oxybelis or something, if I'm not mistaken.

There are many types of arboreal snakes with pointy heads thar are variously referred to as 'vine snakes', thats why its best to use scientific names whenever possible in order to avoid confusion.

> I'm interested in knowing the seariousness of a bite from any species in the Oxybelis family.

Severe or even medium level symptoms have never been reported to my knowledge. This of course hasn't stopped Tennessee from stupidly lumping them in with boomslangs on the prohibited list.

>Also, that really beautiful specimen pictured when one clicks on the "rear-fanged" forum, I am interested in finding more out about that species, is it an Oxybelis?

Thats an Ahaetulla species.

Cheers
bryan
-----
Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.venomdoc.com

The baltimore aquarium has alot of south American herps, so I am guessing he was looking at Oxybelis there.
Oxybelis is rarely available but has advantages over the asian vine snake, in that it eats mice and rats readily. They can also be much larger the Asian.