Indonesian Garters and Petco

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I am completely with you on your mis-representation rant, but I have to disagree with you about the Venom aspect of your arguement. In the reports that I have read Xenochrophis venom is no more dangerous than Thamnophis venom which is known to cause swelling and irritation around the the affected area.

-Thomas

the venom itself is mild to negligible in both, 99% of people will have no reaction but I was referring to the one person who has a serious, allergic reaction to it and dies. Lyre snakes have a "harmless" venom just like thamnophis and xenochrophis, but a small boy was keeping one as a pet in cali, and it bit him and he ended up going into shock and dying. Simlilar things have happened with members of Rhabdophis. Rhabdophis were once all considered "no more dangerous" than garters". Things happen, and sadly usually they are the only way we can REALLY learn about these creatures. It can, and does happen, and if it happens with one of these snakes, and they are misrepresented on top of it, that can mean BIG problems. Prevention, education, and respect for the species is key. Little detail is known about xenochrophis...That is the aspect that really concerns me, and there's no arguing that it's not something to really consider.

[MasSalvaje]

the venom itself is mild to negligible in both, 99% of people will have no reaction but I was referring to the one person who has a serious, allergic reaction to it and dies. Lyre snakes have a "harmless" venom just like thamnophis and xenochrophis, but a small boy was keeping one as a pet in cali, and it bit him and he ended up going into shock and dying. Simlilar things have happened with members of Rhabdophis. Rhabdophis were once all considered "no more dangerous" than garters". Things happen, and sadly usually they are the only way we can REALLY learn about these creatures. It can, and does happen, and if it happens with one of these snakes, and they are misrepresented on top of it, that can mean BIG problems. Prevention, education, and respect for the species is key. Little detail is known about xenochrophis...That is the aspect that really concerns me, and there's no arguing that it's not something to really consider.

You are very correct! But shouldn't we then put the same detail in getting people educated about Thamnophis? Maybe I am just paranoid but if we bring attention to a snake that causes it to be banned, like Xenocrophis, because of its mild venom are we not just opening the door for a ban on Thamnophis in general when they find out they have a very similar venom?

Just a thought, I could be way off.

-Thomas