Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, Anyone familiar with desert sidewinder. Just curious how strong there venom, Ive heard many rumors and from my research that there venom is not deadly bec. of its very little delivery system. Others have said a bite from a rear fang vine snake is more deadly than a desert sidewinder?
BTW, Ive noticed from videos(youtube), where a multiple strikes on a mice from a desert sidewinder and it seems no effect on mouse. I have a full grown 7" adult Usambara Baboon tarantula and it struck an adult mice, within few seconds the mouse went into a massive convulsion, dead!!!and few minutes clear liquid started coming out from inside and fur was soaking wet.
Does this mean a bite from desert sidewinder can be left untreated with no ill effect or lost finger etc?
Thanks for reply in advance.

Hi,

Venomousreptiles.org has a post about a sidewinder bite and the cost to treat it in their experts forum under snakebite cost 8.march.2010 posted by phobos. It is quite interesting. If you are sensitive to the venom from a sidwinder bite, or the antivenom to treat a bite, you could be putting your health at major risk if nailed by a sidewinder. If you want to use LD50 as your only criterion for danger, they are not ranked very high, but anaphylaxis from a peanut will kill you if you have an allergy. Try emailing Dr. Bryan Fry @ venomdoc.com and see what he says, hes an expert, and is very helpful. Hope this helps.

Hi,
Thanks much for info. It made it easier for me to make a decision in keeping non venomous, at max a hognosed (currently my very mellow pet).

I have kept several sidewinders and while they are generally not known to be the most dangerous rattlesnakes, I have seen them kill mice very quickly (almost instantly in some cases). Their venom is fairly toxic, however they generally produce a small venom yield. In any case, if you are bitten by any hot snake medical attention is always urgent. Sidewinders can cause some very worrying symptoms.