Garter Venom

[Scarlet]

Stupidity got the better of me the other night as I was handling my female albino checkered..

I had been cleaning out my two european toads and had to handle one in order not to squash him with a rock I was moving. Anyways I was in my own little world, didn't wash my hands after and then proceeded to handle my garter snake...

a few seconds later and she caught the scent and must have though "lunch!!" she then bit the bottom of my little finger near the knuckle and had a good chomp for the next minute or two, I was so suprised I just froze and watched her and then once that had passed I gently pinched the side of her head and pushed her into the bite wound in order to disengage her fangs..

I didn't think anything of it, I just laughed at my foolishness and then gave her a de-shelled snail and put her back in.

Ten mins later I had the most annoying itching coming from the bite wound, my finger swelled up and it was driving me crazy! I put some antiseptic cream on and the itching stopped but two days after the wound was still mildly tender!

Has anyone else had these reactions? she isn't an aggresive snake what so ever it was purely my fault lol but I was not expecting that reaction hehe. I have researched their venom since and my sypmtoms match those of other victims (I feel lucky I am not a frog or fish!)

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

In principle it could have been the toads' secretions as well, that just got in the wound, or it could have been a unusually strong reaction to the saliva. But it's also possible that it actually was the venom.

Yeah, I did get the itch one of the two times I've been bitten. My finger didn't swell up, though.

[Scarlet]

Thanks I don't think it was the toads secretions only because I literally lifted it across and I used my index finger and fore fingers to quickly move him as I don't like to handle them really.

I dread to think what my fingers would do if any of my boigas got me lol.

I think it was just the fact that she was chewing for a good minute or two and shes so food orientated like I have never seen before, but thats just garters huh lol.

I have some rainbow trout I am about to cut up so that should shut her up for a few days.

[Holly]

Are they European fire bellied toads? If so they secrete a mild toxin that acts as a skin and mucous membrane irritant.

I have to scrub my hands really well after handling mine. Once I just quickly washed my hands and later I must have touched my eye because it stung and puffed up a little.

[gregmonsta]

It definately sounds like envenomation to me, it's similar to other accounts by forum members reporting minor swelling and itching at the bite site (no toads involved).

I still think the most interesting example I've read was in the EGSA archive where a food related bite from a Florida Blue sirtalis occured and was allowed to chew for a considerable amount of time. The swelling progressed up the limb and further, accompanied by pain and a breakout of hives over the body.

There's also this - http://www.llu.edu/pages/faculty/wha...rter_snake.pdf

[guidofatherof5]

I was bitten once between the fingers. The snake chewed a bit. Itching and slight swelling ensued. Of the hundreds of bites I've received that was my first reaction.
I've been bitten in the same location since with no reaction.

[Brewster320]

I got chewed on by one of my garters before. Hes a little guy and I was surprised he even broke the skin. My finger did go numb for about an hour though. It was interesting. If I had a reaction like that from a small garter that barely broke the skin I'd hate to have a big female chomp down on me.

[mustang]

u may just be alergic to the sliva (snake spit) ...its not that uncommon to have a reaction from a harmless snake...guy went to the hospital and they were giving him antivenom (no clue what type) when he was bitten by his rock python who mistook hand for the rabbit...he looked like he WAS bitten from a rattler but it was just an allergic reaction the snake envenomation doctor came in and was shocked at extent of reaction (think he also took him off the anitvenom)

[gregmonsta]

I found a great list of potential reading.

Hill, R. E. and S. P. Mackessy. 2000. Characterization of venom (Duvernoy's secretion) from twelve species of colubrid snakes and partial sequence of four venom proteins. Toxicon 38(12):1663-1687. Report enzyme assays, electrophoresis, protein sequencing, etc. for venom, saliva New, Old World species; observe Thamnophis, Diadophis, Hypsiglena bites lethal to other snakes.

Rossi, J. V. and R. Rossi. 1995. Snakes of the United States and Canada, Vol. 2. Western Area. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL, 325 pp. Mention "venom" effects - Coniophanes, Heterodon, Hypsiglena, Leptodeira, Oxybelis, Tantilla, Thamnophis, Trimorphodon.

Gomez, H. F., M. Davis, S. Phillips, P. McKinney, and J. Brent. 1994. Human envenomation from a wandering garter snake. Annals of Emergency Medicine 23(5):1119-1122. Report local edema, ecchymosis, hemorrhagic vesicles after prolonged bite, no systemic effects; describe hospital treatment; include photos.

Weed, H. G. 1993. Nonvenomous snakebite in Massachusetts: prophylactic antibiotics are unnecessary. Annals of Emergency Medicine 22(2):220-224. Reports Thamnophis (47 cases), Storeria (3), Elaphe (2), Nerodia (1), Lampropeltis (1): "wounds...pinpoint abrasions...no erythema, edema, blistering, or lymphangitic streaking," no prolonged bleeding.

Ernst, C. H. and R. W. Barbour. 1989. Snakes of Eastern North America. George Mason University Press, Fairfax, VA, 282 pp. Comment on toxicity, or questioned toxicity, Farancia, Heterodon, Rhadinaea, Tantilla, Nerodia, Thamnophis; note senior author developed allergy to saliva T. sirtalis - "burning rash at the site."

Jansen, D. W. 1987. The myonecrotic effect of Duvernoy's gland secretion of the snake Thamnophis elegans vagrans. Journal of Herpetology 21(1):81-83. Reports rhabdomyodegeneration, necrosis, hemorrhagic damage, etc. in mice following intramuscular injection; relates findings to speculation evolution venoms

Nichols, A. 1986. Envenomation by a bluestripe garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis similis. Herpetological Review 17(1):6. Reports localized edema, cyanosis, arthralgia, numbness, lymphadenitis axillary nodes from prolonged bite; discounts allergy, infection as factors.

Hayes, W. K. and F. E. Hayes. 1985. Human envenomation from the bite of the eastern garter snake, Thamnophis s. sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae). Toxicon 23(4):719-721. Report FEH hospitalized after prolonged bite Delaware - localized edema, ecchymosis, lymphadenitis, etc.; vital signs, lab tests normal; allergy, infection not implicated.

Rosenberg, H. I., A. Bdolah, and E. Kochva. 1985. Lethal factors and enzymes in the secretion from Duvernoy's gland of three colubrid snakes. The Journal of Experimental Zoology 233(1):5-14. Report Malpolon, Spalerosophis far more toxic than Thamnophis; describe use pilocarpine in collection secretions; provide detailed discussion, literature review.

Jansen, D. W. and R. C. Foehring. 1983. The mechanism of venom secretion from Duvernoy's gland of the snake Thamnophis sirtalis. Journal of Morphology 175(3):271-277. Report adductor musculature not directly connected to Duvernoy's gland however find stimulation this musculature increases secretion release.

Phelps, T. 1981. Poisonous Snakes. Blandford Press Ltd. Poole, Dorset, 237 pp. Discusses variety rear-fanged colubrids; notes saliva some non-venomous species, e.g. Natrix, Thamnophis, "said to have a paralyzing effect on prey."

Vest, D. K. 1981. Envenomation following the bite of a wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans). Clinical Toxicology 18(5):573-579. Reports prolonged bite, child - localized bleeding, swelling (rapid onset), edema, pain, ecchymosis (includes drawing, photo of signs).

Vest, D. K. 1981. The toxic Duvernoy's secretion of the wandering garter snake, Thamnophis elegans vagrans. Toxicon 19(6):831-839. Reports i.p. LD 50 mice 13.85 mg/kg, "massive pulmonary hemorrhage," etc. observed; other oral secretions no significant effects; describes micro-aspiration technique collection secretion.

Wright, D.L., K.V. Kardong, and D.L. Bentley. 1979. The functional anatomy of the teeth of the western terrestrial garter snake, Thamnophis elegans. Herpetologica 35(3):223-228. Report rear maxillary teeth enlarged, have cutting edge; speculate may facilitate flow (possibly toxic) saliva into prey.

[Stefan-A]

Very nice list. I think I have or have read about 1/3 of those.