More on Snakes..
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 09:09
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Member -Signman
Many moons ago I was told that Aussie 'Joe Blakes' don't have hollow fangs- like Asian & American ones. Apparently the venom doesn't enter via the fangs, but is secreted down the fangs from glands in the gums.
This means if ya get bitten- with long pants/shoes or whatever, the majority of the venom won't enter the skin.
With the hollow fanged varities, the venom is injected thru the fangs like a hypodermic syringe.
Any experts out there can confirm this???
Reply By: The Explorer - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 10:28
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 10:28
Hello - according to the books I have - all front fanged snakes have fangs that are efectivey hollow - similar to hypodermic needles. All sea snakes and all but five of Australias venemous land and freshwater snakes are front fanged. The rear fanged snakes, which are not common in Australia, have an open groove along the fang lenght.
On venomous land snakes - family Elapidae - 90 (described) species in Australia - all front fanged with enlarged syringe like fangs set at front of mouth and connected to a venom gland at the rear of the head via a duct beneath the skin on the upper jaw. Note - most are not dangerous to humans..though the ones that are among the worlds most lethal snakes.
Another interesting fact - Australia is the only continent where there are more venomous snakes than non venemous snakes (but still keep in mind most are not dangerous to humans ...so dont panic:)
Cheers
greg
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Follow Up By: porl - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 10:34
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 10:34
O/T i know but that ringtail possum in your photos is seriously cute, must be the closest aussie thing to a panda, amazing.
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Reply By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 21:49
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 21:49
Long fangs, hollow fangs, vented fangs, respitory fangs, refunctory fangs.......
I don't care, I treat them all as dangerous and keep the buggery away from them. On the whole, they generally piss off when they sense, or feel any movement.
In all my time of bush camping I've only ever had to deal with one recalcitrant snake with the shovel.
Getting killed by a snake would be like getting killed by a shark. It's not impossible, but extremely unlikely.
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