Adder venom

[Tinkerbell]

Following on from the snake bite thread, how long would it take for an adder which had discharged its venom, by biting something, to generate sufficiently more to harmful quantities?
Or would it not even bite, if there was no venom in its reserves?

Tink

[pheonix]

Im not entirely sure on this but i'd say that an adder probably wouldn't use all of its vemon up in one bite, most snakes (going from documentories) have enough to bite several times.
And if totally out of vemon it would probably still strike out in defence.

I'll be interested to see if anyone has some knowledge on this one..

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks Pheonix, we'll see if anyone has any pucker gen on this.

Tink

[pet]

Wow Tink, you've come up with a flippin good and interesting question there, going by things i have read and seen i would go with the idea they dont empty the whole gland and can strike multiple. But how many times and how long to replenish its venom is a cracker, really hope someone can find out.

[yellowhammer]

Hi all,

Most adder bites on humans (about 70 per cent) are dry with little or no venom injected. as venom injection is largely voluntary on the snake's part it seems that they only give a full-on venomous bite when seriously molested, the first 1 or 2 being 'warning' bites. Some residual venom in the fang grooves will be enough to give a mild reaction. adder venom is actually pretty serious and if you get a 'big' bite you definitely know about it!

Ian

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by yellowhammer

Hi all,

Most adder bites on humans (about 70 per cent) are dry with little or no venom injected. as venom injection is largely voluntary on the snake's part it seems that they only give a full-on venomous bite when seriously molested, the first 1 or 2 being 'warning' bites. Some residual venom in the fang grooves will be enough to give a mild reaction. adder venom is actually pretty serious and if you get a 'big' bite you definitely know about it!

Ian

Firstly welcome to the forum and that's really interesting! Most reactions you hear of seem quite nasty so yes it must be quite horrible what 'both barrels' would be like!! Such a beautiful animal - I'm happy to treat it with the respect it demands- twice now it's turned up (unexpectedly) underneath reptile survey tiles neither time did it react aggressively - though the tiles were replaced (gently) pretty sharpish!

[Wild-Woman]

I've just read that it can take several days for a venomous snake to replenish it's supplies if it discharged the lot on a kill. Less, if in defence.
Also the time they are most likely to bite is apparently after a meal, when it is swollen with food and exposed.
So if you see a fat adder....leave it be!
ww

[yellowhammer]

Thanks for the welcome, it's a great forum. I find adders regularly here in Somerset/West Dorset and they are rarely aggressive. Even when being photographed for head patterns they hardly ever bite although it does vary between individuals - one small female on a local site has been christened 'nipper' for obvious reasons!
I had a bite with only 1 fang penetrating when I was 12 and the reaction was fairly typical - swelling and discolouration of the bitten limb, nausea and diarrhoea, although that may have been fear of my mum's reaction when she found out!

Ian

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by yellowhammer

...... nausea and diarrhoea, ..........

Ian

That would have been my Mums reaction........had I survived the bite

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks very much for the explanation yellowhammer - most interesting. And a big welcome to WAB. I have a feeling we may be seeking your advice again in the future.

Tink