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Do Corns Have "deadly" Venom?

Spitfire

Spitfire

Snakeless
I'm sure that somewhere I read that all snakes have venom but it's hust the the intensity isn't high enough to venomize prey. Or like the it was in their saliva or something. I have a hatchling the was chewing on my finger the other day because it was right out of the mouse water (my finger). It didn't hurt or anything, no marks. It felt weird and spiky. Were those teeth? And if I let the snake stay on long enough, could it have venomized me? Just curious.
 
I could be wrong, but as far as I know, Corns are non-venomous. I know the saliva of a snake helps break down their prey, as well as digestive juices, but I don't think it's the same as a vipers. Even a human's saliva is designed to break down food, but it's not venom....it's just bacteria, and lots of it. Of course it's a protein based enzyme too. I don't think you have to worry about dropping dead from envenomation any time soon.
 
Sam,

As Meg stated, corns are not venomous. You may be slightly confused and are thinking of mildly venomous rear-fanged snakes.

Texas has four species:
1. Texas Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata jani)
2. Northern Cat-Eyed Snake (Leptodeira septentrionalis septentrionalis)
3. Black-striped Snake (Coniophanes imperialis imperialis)
4. Texas Lyre Snake ( Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii)

Also the genus Heterodon (Hog-nosed snakes) has enlarged upper rear teeth and saliva which contains toxins.
 
So no matter how hard or long the snake holds on, there is no chance of venomation? What about infection? From the saliva?
 
Sorry spitfire - there is just no way you will die from a cornsnake bite no matter which way you approach it!

There are no venom glands, and no venom to inject, and no fangs to inject it with.

Whether you could be infected if the bite broke through your skin is another question. It would partly depend on what bacteria the snake was harbouring in it's mouth. Also it would depend on how clean the surface of your hand was. If you do get bitten by any animal and it breaks the skin it is always wise to thoroughly wash and clean out the wound. Put some antiseptic cream on and don't worry. You'll live to buy another corn.

Skye
 
Lol. Guys, I knew that they didn't have liike "venom". I just wanted to know about like the saliva and and it's bacteria and stuff.
 
Um, well yes. All animals have bacteria crawling around their mouths, but nothing that'sa going to harm you if you rinse out a bite with peroxide or wash your hands after handling. lol, about the venom thing, a friend went to florida and was catching snakes. She lifted up this rather nice and docile snake she was holding and showed it to her relatives... turned out to be a copperhead! lol. The relative freaked out, she freaked out and put the snake down as gently as a freaked out person could and moved away. Lucky chick!
 
Lucky her! From what I've seen in research, the Copperhead is one of the milder venoms of the pit viper family. They are absolutely gorgeous too! Some of the color that I've seen on them are spectacular.
 
<i>Lucky her! From what I've seen in research, the Copperhead is one of the milder venoms of the pit viper family. They are absolutely gorgeous too! Some of the color that I've seen on them are spectacular.</i>

I definitely agree! Copperheads are one of my favorite snakes. They're beautiful, and not actually vicious like their reputation makes them out to be (where I live, copperheads are considered evil incarnate).

My mother is convinced that my baby corn is actually a copperhead. She's terrified of him. :laugh:
 
Whoa! Are you serious? She was holding a copperhead and didn't know it? And it didn't bite her? That is cuttin it real close. But it must've been cool to hold one.

BTW - Hey Rinpu, we both have normal motleys, tight!:cheers:
 
Actually, I watched a program on venomous snakes, and this herpetologist tested the temperments of various snakes including Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and I think a species of rattler. He would first stand near them, then place a foot lightly on them, then stick a fake hand on them, and lastly, poke at them and pick them up (with tongs). The Copperhead never tried to bite until it was repeatedly poked and annoyed, and even then, did not bite when handled. The Cottonmouth got annoyed a little more quickly then the Copperhead, and I think the rattler was the same. I found it interesting that not one snake struck, even when a foot was placed lightly on their bodies. Admittedly, he says that he could have just gotten lucky and found mellow snakes, but I think it shows how over rated their aggression is on the whole. Most just want to be left alone.
 
lol, yeah, she did. In my part of Ontario, we kinda lack in the poisonous snake department, I've seen garter snakes and racers, but that's it. lol, she just thought it was a gorgeous snake and it didn't get defensive so she thought it was safe.
 
Duvernoy's Glands

Some non-rear fanged species have duvernoy's glands, too--garter snakes do. They have genuine venom in their saliva, as a result. However, unless you let them chew on your finger for a very long time, they're not going to envenomate you with it. One individual reported VERY mild symptoms after having a garter chew on him for a half hour...one wonders why he did this, but there you go. <g> I'm not sure whether rat snakes have Duvernoy's glands, but I don't think that they do. Have to look into it in depth to be absolutely certain.
 
Any bite from any animal (even cats and dogs) can be highly infectous. EVEN if the snake isn't carrying some kind of bacteria in the mouth and you get bit and "BREAK THE SKIN" you're primary defense mechanism from bacteria/infections is gone. Those openings in the skin can allow the bacteria that live peacefully on your skin (mainly Staph. Aureus) enter the wound and start an infection. Infections should NEVER be played down as they can spread quickly through the lymphatic system (see axillary lymph node swelling) or the blood (septicemia) or fascial planes along the body (fascitis).

Pre-physician lesson of the day = wash your hands everytime you're done playing with your snakes, bite or not and it need not be a second thought if you get a bite (as long as the wound was cleaned with the hand washing)...

Have a good day!
 
Good advice there!! Washing hands should be a regular practice anyway. Easiest way to prevent diseases of all kinds.
 
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