Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Looking into getting a pair; but would like more information on the potency of their venom. All I see on the net are 2 extremes: 1. They are venomous, but pose no threat to humans and will rarely, or never bite. and 2. Venom is potent, and may cause severe trauma.

Which is true? And should these snakes be handled with hooks and gloves? hoping to get an answer from someone who has had experience with them.. there is not a lot of info out there yet.

Thanks!

There is a recorded bite. Here is the reference:

Kuch, Ulrich, and Jesberger, U. 1993. Human envenomation from the bite of the South American colubrid snake species Philodryas baroni Berg, 1895. The Snake.25:63-65.

It's been a few years since I have read it but there was localized swelling up the arm as I recall. I've worked with them since 2001 and we've always used hooks.

thanks to the reply... it sheds a little bit of light on them.
There are too many conflicting info about them so I wasn't sure if this was a species i could handle...

In case you can't find any more info on their bites I'd simply recommend that you handle them with a hook. Don't wana see you in the head lines.

Mike