types of garter

[Stefan-A]

They're all venomous as far as I know, but they're harmless.

[Garter_Gertie]

They're all venomous as far as I know, but they're harmless.

Stefan, could you go into more detail, please? I don't understand. Thanks!

[Stefan-A]

Stefan, could you go into more detail, please? I don't understand. Thanks!

They have a gland that produces a very mild venom.

The gland is sometimes called Duvernoy's gland, and in certain other colubrid species (the boomslang, for example) it produces some very potent venom. According to what little I've read about the gland, it's a real venom gland, like the ones vipers and elapids (cobras, mambas, taipans etc.) have. I remember reading somewhere, don't remember where, that the venom the garters produce have little or no effect on species other than amphibians. Haven't verified the claim.

People who get bit by garters generally don't get any symptoms at all, but some people can experience itching or swelling. In at least one case I've heard about, there were more serious symptoms, but apparently the bite victim was a small child and the snake was allowed to chew for quite a while.

EDIT: I'm now specifically talking about the true, North and Central American garters, not African or Asian. That's why I prefer scientific names, they tell you instantly if you're talking about the same thing.