Another question? If a Garter bites...

[Stefan-A]

Well, neurotoxins work in two different ways. They either block or flood your nervous system.

[Bay_area]

Garter snakes can't hurt you.

"can't"? more than likely not to but I would not say can't

People shouldn't be freaked out, but they should be aware. I do not know how many times I have been biten over the years. However, the only bite that sent me to the hospital was from a copperhead. I have been bitten by rear fanged snakes like the False Water Cobra with minor effects. When I was in grade school I was bitten right on the nose by a garter snake while showing off for the girls @ the park. Had alot of bleeding, but was more embarrassed than anything. With that said, if someone does get bitten & there is any side affects such as redness or swelling, they should have it looked at, expecially if it is a child. People could react differently & have an allergic reaction.

this is from the link I posted eariler in this thread;
Duvernoy's Glands and "Warm" Herping

here are some quotes from the page:

"I learned that garters had Duvernoy’s gland secretions that were toxic, so that a person bitten could suffer swelling, bleeding, and bruising"

"Reports of the bite of a separate species, the wandering garter snake, also suggest toxicity. Symptoms from the bite of this species (Thamnophis elegans) have included swelling, pain, and localized bleeding but not systemic symptoms."

[Stefan-A]

Excellent point, but I'd still consider tetanus a bigger risk.

[RZL36]

I was afraid of mentioning the allergic reaction bit. I don't want people getting rid of their snakes.

I reluctantly posted that article in a previous thread.

In actuality garters can hurt you, but not fatally.

Just not trying to alert the masses.

[Stefan-A]

I think it improves their image a bit and it's definitely better to stick to the facts. Enough facts and the masses don't know what to think.

It's not very difficult to inform the masses without alerting them, but it could always backfire if somebody gets the bright idea to ban them too as venomous.

[Charlet_2007]

ive gotten bit by my garter snake and haven't have any systems with them having venom.. if that was true id be really really sick right now or dead and im nether...

[Spartikus]

Thank you for all the info You have all been really helpful.

[RZL36]

ive gotten bit by my garter snake and haven't have any systems with them having venom.. if that was true id be really really sick right now or dead and im nether...

Not everything venomous is a taipan. You said yourself that your finger went numb. Isn't that evidence enough?

[adamanteus]

Honestly, I can't believe we're really debating the degree of danger from a Garter Snake bite! It's utter nonsense, and splitting hairs. So Garters posses a Duvernoys' gland....I posses an appendix, but it serves no useful purpose.

[Stefan-A]

Somebody said the term "Duvernoy's gland" is obsolete?