http://www.wildmed.com/blog/are-smaller-venomous-snakes-more-dangerous/ Face any challenge, anywhere. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:54:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.wildmed.com/blog/are-smaller-venomous-snakes-more-dangerous/comment-page-1/#comment-4022 Frederick Boyce Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:53:11 +0000 http://www.wildmed.com/blog/?p=893#comment-4022 In general, adult venomous snakes, with their longer fangs and larger amounts of venom to inject are going to deliver more dangerous bites than their young. There have been studies [I know of one involving Crotalus atrox] that have suggested that neonates may have slightly more potent venom, mg for mg. Some young pit vipers begin life feeding on reptile and amphibian prey, and have neurotoxic components in their venom, which becomes more haemotoxic as the snake matures to prey upon homeothermic animals. It has been determined, however, that some 20% of snakebites to humans are "dry" bites, thus suggesting that snakes do selectively inject venom. For people who work with venomous snakes, I would say that the primary reason smaller snakes can be more dangerous is that they are often seriously underestimated. In some 40 years of working with snakes, I can say that young snakes are often much more defensive, nervous and quicker to strike than adults. Ultimately though, if it had to happen, I'd rather take a nip from a neonate eastern diamondback than a large adult! In general, adult venomous snakes, with their longer fangs and larger amounts of venom to inject are going to deliver more dangerous bites than their young. There have been studies [I know of one involving Crotalus atrox] that have suggested that neonates may have slightly more potent venom, mg for mg. Some young pit vipers begin life feeding on reptile and amphibian prey, and have neurotoxic components in their venom, which becomes more haemotoxic as the snake matures to prey upon homeothermic animals. It has been determined, however, that some 20% of snakebites to humans are “dry” bites, thus suggesting that snakes do selectively inject venom. For people who work with venomous snakes, I would say that the primary reason smaller snakes can be more dangerous is that they are often seriously underestimated. In some 40 years of working with snakes, I can say that young snakes are often much more defensive, nervous and quicker to strike than adults. Ultimately though, if it had to happen, I’d rather take a nip from a neonate eastern diamondback than a large adult!

]]> http://www.wildmed.com/blog/are-smaller-venomous-snakes-more-dangerous/comment-page-1/#comment-4003 Jim Gossett Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:38:45 +0000 http://www.wildmed.com/blog/?p=893#comment-4003 In my own testing using live mice, I found that drop per drop younger snakes venom is more potent. That is why the larger snakes inject more. Using equal amounts of crotalus adamanteus venom that death was substantially quicker using venom from younger specimens. My hypothesis is with every meal, the animal grows larger and produces more venom to fill the void, but, it is dilluted in potency. Has anyone ever published such findings?? Or should I repeat my tests for publication?? In my own testing using live mice, I found that drop per drop younger snakes venom is more potent. That is why the larger snakes inject more. Using equal amounts of crotalus adamanteus venom that death was substantially quicker using venom from younger specimens. My hypothesis is with every meal, the animal grows larger and produces more venom to fill the void, but, it is dilluted in potency.
Has anyone ever published such findings?? Or should I repeat my tests for publication??

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