here's a novel idea... - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

here's a novel idea...	Reply
by snakeguy101 on September 29, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
lets talk about snakes as opposed to rediculous theories and what not. What information do you guys have on the mangrove water snake, i have heard conflicting information on weather it was venomous or not. are they easy to keep in captivity, any funny stories that go along with them, what is their temperment like, do they ride hooks well, etc... I am interested in keeping one one day and would like some info on them. ~Chris~ www.snakeguy101.com

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by LarryDFishel on September 29, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
I don't think there's much question about whether they are venomous. They are mildly venomous rear-fanged snakes. The confusion is usually either about whether they are venomous enough to be considered dangerous (which sort of depends on your definition of dangerous) or whether they fit the LEGAL definition of venomous in any given place. Until recently, the state of Florida, for instance, has had no legal definition of what is a venomous snake and so it was a bit of a grey area with some inspectors considering them venomous and others not. That changed a few months ago when the Florida legislature amended the law to direct F&G to publish a list of snakes considered venomous by the end of the year: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_s2766er.html&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=2766&Session=2007 They've already written up the list which goes into effect Jan. 1st, and includes the entire genus Boiga.

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by Buzztail1 on September 30, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Ah, the dangers of common names. The Mangrove Water Snake is a nonvenomous Florida native - Nerodia clarkii compressicauda. The Mangrove Snake - Boiga dendrophilla - is a much different animal with rear fangs and questionable venom. To which animal are you referring? Karl

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by snakeguy101 on September 30, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
I'm sorry Karl, you are right, i should have clarified. I was referring to Boiga dendrophilla. ~Chris~ www.snakeguy101.com

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by Cro on September 30, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Chris, as far as the temperment of Boiga dendrophilla, all of the ones I ever worked with were resent imports for the pet shop trade, and all had nasty tempers and liked to bite. I am not sure if captive born ones have a better attitude, as I have never worked with those. Some of them are great looking snakes, with their contrasting pattern ! Best Regards JohnZ

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by Venomjunkie on October 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Hey Chris, I'm 16 as well and chose to enter the venomous snake keeping hobby with a Boiga dendrophila and I couldn't be more pleased with my choice. I purchased my male in June as an import but he is one of the best looking WC Mangroves I have ever seen. So far his temperment has varied from psycho to extremely placid. When I originally got him he would strike at the slightest movement but he hasn't struck at me for a few months now. He rides a hook fairly well although there has been a time or two that he has pulled backwards off of the hook end causing me to momentarily be freehandling him. I have yet to get him to eat anything other than a gecko but I'm trying something new every week so eventually something has to work lol. When it comes to their venom, I will say that I've read on the venomdoc.com forums that it is some really nasty stuff and the only reason they arent extremely dangerous is because of the rear fanged deal. However, I have seen mine strike at me while I was closing the cage door and leave a decent amount of venom on the glass. I think that's very impressive for a rear fanged snake. Overall, I'm very pleased with my decision and would recommend a Mangrove as a first hot if that's why you're asking. Feel free to ask me any specific questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer them. Dylan

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by Chance on October 3, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Are you sure what you saw on the glass was venom and not just saliva? I'm not completely discounting the possibility, but Boiga don't have the most efficient delivery systems. In fact, they have to do some pretty good chewing to get in a decent envenomation. I was trying to tease feed an imported specimen a few years ago that nailed me rather than the chick on the hemos. It was a glancing bite and release, but absolutely nothing happened. I kept a close eye on the bite site just to be sure, but no reaction occurred. If you do have a mangrove that can produce a noticeable about of venom in just a short period of time (time it takes to strike) then I'd say you have a very dangerous animal indeed on your hands. Be careful! -Chance

RE: here's a novel idea...	Reply
by Venomjunkie on October 3, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
The reason I'm assuming that it was venom and not saliva is that it was a milky white color on the glass after it dried. I suppose it could still have been saliva but I would expect saliva to be clear. I could certainly be wrong though.

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