Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Snakes exotic to South Africa with venoms that are considered to be medically important.

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Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Postby shadowfoot » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:22 pm

Does anybody know about this snake? They seem like a cool snake.
Saw some pictures, some are nicely coloured and others are more of a drab olive colour.
Any info is appreciated
Regards
Shadowfoot
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Shining brightly, even for a split
second, is better than living a
dull-grey life for eternity - Jing (King Of Bandits)
A life without gambling is like
sushi without wasabi - Gintoki (Gintama)
I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it - Steve Irwin
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Re: Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Postby _THEO_ » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:34 pm

They are potentialy poisonous! ;)
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You can learn from everyone....
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Re: Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Postby vuduman » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:17 pm

It looks like a skaapsteker crossed with a harlequin snake.It sort of defeats the little rhyme "red to black,venom lack.Red to yellow,kill's a fellow. :)
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Re: Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Postby shadowfoot » Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:39 am

Found this on the web, dont know if its true:
This species is also the only
known snake that is venomous
and poisonous at the same time.
POISON:
The defensive behavior of this
snake is very unusual. When
threatened by a predator, the
snake arches its neck toward the
attacker and releases the
contents of paired nuchal
glands that lie in the dorsal skin.
The product of those glands is
distasteful and irritating to the
eyes and contains compounds
similar to those found in the skin
glands of toads. The origin of the poison in these
glands is a highly interesting
aspect of this species, and was
explained for the first time in a
2007 study by Hutchinson et al.
The study shows that
Rhabdophis tigrinus becomes
poisonous by sequestering
toxins from its prey, which
consists of venomous toads. The
process allows the snakes to
store in their neck glands some
of the toxins from the toads they
have eaten.
VENOM:
Many members of the family
Colubridae that are considered
venomous are essentially
harmless to humans, because
they either have small venom
glands, relatively weak venom,
or an inefficient system for
venom delivery. While
Rhabdophis tigrinus has small
venom glands and delivers its
venom inefficiently, said venom
is certainly not weak. Although
this snake is reluctant to bite,
even defensively, the bite has
been known to cause fatalities in
humans. The venom acts very
slowly, inhibiting the ability of
the blood to clot and causing
death by hemorrhage.
All info taken from snakesoftaiwan.com
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Shining brightly, even for a split
second, is better than living a
dull-grey life for eternity - Jing (King Of Bandits)
A life without gambling is like
sushi without wasabi - Gintoki (Gintama)
I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it - Steve Irwin
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shadowfoot
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Posts: 553
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Location: Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape

Re: Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Postby shadowfoot » Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:40 am

Thanks Theo, your comment made me go look it up.
Shining brightly, even for a split
second, is better than living a
dull-grey life for eternity - Jing (King Of Bandits)
A life without gambling is like
sushi without wasabi - Gintoki (Gintama)
I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it - Steve Irwin
User avatar
shadowfoot
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Posts: 553
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:48 am
Location: Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape

Re: Tiger Keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus)

Postby @ndy » Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:48 am

Wow thats interesting, beautiful snake.
http://www.reptitracker.co.za

0.1.0 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli
1.1.4 Thamnophis marcianus
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getula getula
1.0.0 Lampropeltis getula californiae
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