Milking my garter?

[RZL36]

Not that I would do this, or that I would have a reason to milk a garter snake,
but, as a lot of people know garter snakes are technically venomous. Has anyone done any hand's on work on this stuff? Not like getting bit, but if anyone knows how much they produce and which snakes have a similar venom composition (in this case I'll use saliva). Is it an anticoagulant like a nerodia? They are pretty close relatives, right?

What could the waterworks be used for?
RD

[adamanteus]

There is indeed an anti-coagulent faction in there.....but then again there is also in human saliva! There is also some neurotoxins which can cause localized 'numbing'....also present in human saliva. I think it is stretching things a little to call Garters 'venomous'. I know other members disagree with me on this. Every living creatures' saliva contains enzymes to aid swallowing, digestion etc. Should we class all animals as venomous?
To me, an effective venom needs a specialized venom delivery apparatus..ie fangs, sting etc.
Garter saliva is not inert, it contains enzymes...well yeah, that is true of all animals. Garters are not venomous, any more than you are.

[Lori P]

Ok, now, I've been searching all over my ball pythons for the past 15 minutes and I just can't find their udders... hmmm, maybe the garter snakes have more pronounced udders. I mean, I've milked the cows and I've milked the goats and I've even milked out a mare or two but the snakes have me stumped. Plus, they keep falling off the milk stand...

Oh I crack me up.....

[RZL36]

Yeah, but don't they have a Duvernoy's gland? I know that there are tons of things, in a bite from anything, that can have relative toxicity, but I think this might be different.

Check this out: Duvernoy's Glands and "Warm" Herping

[flakgunner]

Ok, now, I've been searching all over my ball pythons for the past 15 minutes and I just can't find their udders... hmmm, maybe the garter snakes have more pronounced udders. I mean, I've milked the cows and I've milked the goats and I've even milked out a mare or two but the snakes have me stumped. Plus, they keep falling off the milk stand...

Oh I crack me up.....

hey,
I think your looking at the wrong snakes.look closer at Milk Snakes .LOL

Joe

[CrazyHedgehog]

Yeah, but don't they have a Duvernoy's gland? I know that there are tons of things, in a bite from anything, that can have relative toxicity, but I think this might be different.

Check this out: Duvernoy's Glands and "Warm" Herping

that link was really interesting, thanks for sharing

[RZL36]

No problem. I love sharing info. That's what we are all here for I guess.

[enigma200316]

No problem. I love sharing info. That's what we are all here for I guess.

well mainly for the pics but info is good too......

[RZL36]

I guess I really got to get myself a digital camera. The thing is I like taking pictures of snakes, but hate having my picture taken.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I have read that wandering garters have the duvornoy's gland....not sure if all garters have it....wanderings are known for eating rodents in the wild.