Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read that water snake bites can cause anticoagulation (never been bit so this is just something i've read). I was wondering if anyone knew what caused this, ie compounds the snakes produce from their Duvernoy's glands or if this perhaps comes from bacteria found in the snakes mouth. Just wondering, so if anyone can offer any insight it would be greatly appreciated.
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0.1 Normal Cornsnake
1.0 Sumatran Short Tail Python
2.2 Ball Pythons (2 normals, 2 pastel)

I have been bitten by Northern water snakes several times and have never experienced any noticeable anticoagulation. Looking back on those times, though, I have noticed that, most of the times that I have been bitten, my hand was wet because the snake was in the water when captured. The water dilutes what little blood comes out and makes it seem as if there is blood everywhere and that it just keeps coming. As herpetologist Roger Conant said years ago, it is no more serious that a prick from a rose thorn.

i believe that it's produced in the duvornoy's gland. wandering garters also have that gland. you would probably bleed just a little bit more than with a normal bite...but nothing really that noticeable.

well i've been bit by florida greens diamondbacks yellowbellies and a few others and i haven't glowed in the dark yet,lol. but be carefull there teeth are like little tiny fish hooks and it does hurt.

It is most likely a result of duvernoy gland secretions.

My broad banded water snake is a bit of a brat, so every once in a while he'll nick me during feeding. And even though he's only ever bit me on places where I have thick skin and don't bleed a lot generally, i.e. the tip of my finger and my finger joints, I bleed quite a bit more when I've been bitten versus when I've just scratched my hand on something. Also, after putting pressure on my finger this last time, I noticed that even when I had applied pressure, I kept bleeding.

It's pretty harmless though. Their teeth can't do that much damage at all, even if they do sting like hell. That, and the bleeding only continues for a short time, and it's pretty minor.