Venomdoc Forums

[reptilist]

Am I correct in saying that vipers are immune to their own venom, but not necessarily immune from the bite of another individual of the same species? How about vipers of other species? How about a bite from the same species but from a different population?
How about Elapids?

[Klaus Roemer]

As far as has been investigated, venomous snakes in general (vipers as well as Elapids) are usually highly resistant against the effects of venom from their own and (venom-wise) closely related species. They are sensitive (although not necessarily as sensitive as prey animals) against venom of a very different composition, and in particular against venom from ophiophagic (i.e. snake-eating) snakes such as, for instance, the king cobra, kraits, coral snakes and the Australian king-brown snake. Important to note for husbandry is that although bites to snakes by snakes (either of their own species or by self during hunting) does not elicit toxic effects, it may very well be the origin of an encaspulated bacterial inflammatory lump called abscessa. These can pop up at the bite site even years after the bite, when the snake is getting old and the immune system compromised.

Klaus

[Venomdoc]

A notable exception in the elapids is Pseudechis guttatus which is remarkably sensitive to conspecific venom as some keepers in Australia have found out the hard way.

Cheer
B
_________________
Department of Biochemistry,
Bio21 Institute,
University of Melbourne,
Australia
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Faith can't be put in a test tube. Thats why it shouldn't be put in a science classroom.
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Faith (noun). Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence
Science (noun). The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of phenomena. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.

[reptilist]

Thank you both for responding!