Wild Snake Rescue (pic heavy)

[Rebel]

Thanks for the link. I occasionally come across wildlife in need of help and I've found the RSPCA to be a bit of a let down unfortunately. I do have a reasonable knowledge, I studied Countryside Management among other things, but it's always good to check with somebody who might be more knowledgeable or can confirm that what you are doing is a good idea. I'll save the information, I might need it one day.

[william#]

they aslo have access to medicines from the vet too so that can be helpfull too

you sound like you know your stuff so you know what im talking about , but yes they can be very usefull for info and support - and yes i have found the rspca shockingly lacking in knowledge and trevor who heads up the wild life rescue people has facepalmed when i have told him some of my experiances with the rspca

[Nick93]

Im sure grass snakes are a fairlly calm species anyway and any small wounds on it should heal quickly. The main thing to watch out for with snakes is salmonella, there digestive system is loaded with it and obviously so is what comes out the other end Although you should be fine with just washing your hands before and after handling any snakes. It is a beautiful snake... my other major hobby is reptiles and I have quite a collection now. I think grass snakes will regurgitate or secrete a very smelly liquid when threatened so they do sometimes smell. Well done its a nicer outcome than some other snake stories.. ( there are lots of stories of people who have beaten snakes to death with various household items because they thought it was venemous). Its adders you have too watch out for.. but they have the dark diamond pattern on theyre backs so they are fairly easy to recognise.

[JonathanD]

Im sure grass snakes are a fairlly calm species anyway and any small wounds on it should heal quickly. The main thing to watch out for with snakes is salmonella, there digestive system is loaded with it and obviously so is what comes out the other end Although you should be fine with just washing your hands before and after handling any snakes. It is a beautiful snake... my other major hobby is reptiles and I have quite a collection now. I think grass snakes will regurgitate or secrete a very smelly liquid when threatened so they do sometimes smell. Well done its a nicer outcome than some other snake stories.. ( there are lots of stories of people who have beaten snakes to death with various household items because they thought it was venemous). Its adders you have too watch out for.. but they have the dark diamond pattern on theyre backs so they are fairly easy to recognise.

Grass snakes secrete their defence 'skunk' through their cloaca, or backsides to you lot. They can regurgitate freshly eaten prey, which is far more unpleasant. Grass snakes get mistaken for adders more than the other way around due to their dark and sometimes bold lateral and dorsal markings. The amount of calls I get called out for that are adder sightings on property, almost always turn out to be Grass snakes. If people see an adder, even for the fist time, most people know immediately what it is and rarely confuse them for grass snakes. Oh, and adders will poo on you too, although that might be the least of your worries.

[ScotchDave]

Grass snakes secrete their defence 'skunk' through their cloaca, or backsides to you lot. They can regurgitate freshly eaten prey, which is far more unpleasant. Grass snakes get mistaken for adders more than the other way around due to their dark and sometimes bold lateral and dorsal markings. The amount of calls I get called out for that are adder sightings on property, almost always turn out to be Grass snakes. If people see an adder, even for the fist time, most people know immediately what it is and rarely confuse them for grass snakes. Oh, and adders will poo on you too, although that might be the least of your worries.

You seem very well informed on herpetology, so how dangerous is an adder bite?

Dave

[JonathanD]

You seem very well informed on herpetology, so how dangerous is an adder bite?

Dave

The adder has one of the most advanced envenomation systems of all snakes, the vipers. Folding fangs and large venom glands compared to other species like cobras, mambas and kraits etc. How dangerous an adder bit can be depends on numerous factors to be honest, time of year, size of snake, amount of venom delivered, last time it used it's fangs/venom, number of fangs that make the strike, size of victim, health of victim, age of victim, location of bite and there is more. Drop for drop it is as potent as a Timber rattlesnakes venom and comprises haemotoxins, cytotoxins and neurotoxins, making it a very dangerous mixture. Fortunately for us, the adder is quite small and is not capable of delivering a large dose like the rattlesnake.

The adder can and does kill people around the world,but the last fatality here was in the 70s. A good solid bite is not pleasant and can affect people for months after the bite. Steve Backshaw was bitten in the ankle and had to spend a few days in hospital not so long ago, and that snake only got one fang in. I've been bitten twice and the affects of the second bite were worse than a bite I received from a large puff adder, and the pain unbearable for a good 12 hours, although I was very lucky with the puff adder as it only got one fang in, and it was one that was replacing main fangs at the time so I got a very small dose and the fang left in the wound. That adder bite was a large male in the mating season in Spring when potentially the venom is more toxic after maturing in the venom glands over the hibernation months and the snakes more bold and defensive as it was catually attached to the female I had picked up. It is very unpleasant.

Recent evidence suggests though, that it is quite rare for an adder to inject any venom in the first defensive bite and when venom is injected, they may only release a small dose as it is a precious commodity that is essential for catching prey and requires energy to produce. You would certainly be in deep deep trouble if you received numerous bites with full doses of venom, but this is almost unheard of. In fact I can think of only one case and that was on the continent in the Sixties.

The antivenom is very good nowadays though and you shouldn't be too worried if you do get a bite. It is certainly no bee or wasp sting as many people think and is far more potent and carries the same dangers that they present in terms of shock and allergic reaction. Small children and the elderly should get to hospital immediately to receive treatment.

[ScotchDave]

The adder has one of the most advanced envenomation systems of all snakes, the vipers. Folding fangs and large venom glands compared to other species like cobras, mambas and kraits etc. How dangerous an adder bit can be depends on numerous factors to be honest, time of year, size of snake, amount of venom delivered, last time it used it's fangs/venom, number of fangs that make the strike, size of victim, health of victim, age of victim, location of bite and there is more. Drop for drop it is as potent as a Timber rattlesnakes venom and comprises haemotoxins, cytotoxins and neurotoxins, making it a very dangerous mixture. Fortunately for us, the adder is quite small and is not capable of delivering a large dose like the rattlesnake.

The adder can and does kill people around the world,but the last fatality here was in the 70s. A good solid bite is not pleasant and can affect people for months after the bite. Steve Backshaw was bitten in the ankle and had to spend a few days in hospital not so long ago, and that snake only got one fang in. I've been bitten twice and the affects of the second bite were worse than a bite I received from a large puff adder, and the pain unbearable for a good 12 hours, although I was very lucky with the puff adder as it only got one fang in, and it was one that was replacing main fangs at the time so I got a very small dose and the fang left in the wound. That adder bite was a large male in the mating season in Spring when potentially the venom is more toxic after maturing in the venom glands over the hibernation months and the snakes more bold and defensive as it was catually attached to the female I had picked up. It is very unpleasant.

Recent evidence suggests though, that it is quite rare for an adder to inject any venom in the first defensive bite and when venom is injected, they may only release a small dose as it is a precious commodity that is essential for catching prey and requires energy to produce. You would certainly be in deep deep trouble if you received numerous bites with full doses of venom, but this is almost unheard of. In fact I can think of only one case and that was on the continent in the Sixties.

The antivenom is very good nowadays though and you shouldn't be too worried if you do get a bite. It is certainly no bee or wasp sting as many people think and is far more potent and carries the same dangers that they present in terms of shock and allergic reaction. Small children and the elderly should get to hospital immediately to receive treatment.

Thanks, very informative.

Dave