types of garter

[punky_jen]

Ok well im quite new to garters.

Another forum i go on alot has a thread about garters, saying some are venomous etcc, what ones are the venomous ones? And which ones are not? Also could you post piccys of them please?

thanks

[adamanteus]

There is a school of thought that says all Garters are venomous, because they have modified salivary glands and slightly enlarged rear teeth. To me, this does not constitute truly venomous. All species are certainly harmless.

[punky_jen]

I had been told that some garters can hurt you more than others though, was wondering which ones they were, and what they looked like.

[Stefan-A]

They're all venomous as far as I know, but they're harmless.

[adamanteus]

Non of them can harm you at all. To view pictures of some of the different types, have a look through our photographic library.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...raphic_Library

[Gijs & Sabine]

I agree with James. I've got bitten a lot by garters, but it never went into problems. I quess if you react allergic to a bite it is possible it'll swell up. But I've never seen anything like it in real, only from pics
So basicly there is nothing to worry about.

[Garter_Gertie]

They're all venomous as far as I know, but they're harmless.

Stefan, could you go into more detail, please? I don't understand. Thanks!

[punky_jen]

I was told asian and african ones can harm you, and Rhabdophis too.

[adamanteus]

Right. Here's where the confusion from using 'common names' starts. To me Garters are Thamnophis which is purely American and harmless.
Certain of the South African 'Garters' are actually quite dangerous.

[Stefan-A]

Stefan, could you go into more detail, please? I don't understand. Thanks!

They have a gland that produces a very mild venom.

The gland is sometimes called Duvernoy's gland, and in certain other colubrid species (the boomslang, for example) it produces some very potent venom. According to what little I've read about the gland, it's a real venom gland, like the ones vipers and elapids (cobras, mambas, taipans etc.) have. I remember reading somewhere, don't remember where, that the venom the garters produce have little or no effect on species other than amphibians. Haven't verified the claim.

People who get bit by garters generally don't get any symptoms at all, but some people can experience itching or swelling. In at least one case I've heard about, there were more serious symptoms, but apparently the bite victim was a small child and the snake was allowed to chew for quite a while.

EDIT: I'm now specifically talking about the true, North and Central American garters, not African or Asian. That's why I prefer scientific names, they tell you instantly if you're talking about the same thing.