Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Plate 4.93
Desert kingsnake (
Lampropeltis getula splendida
).
The colubrine genus
Lampropeltis
contains approximately nine species (with
40 subspecies). Many of these are
attractively patterned and are popular in private collections. Some of these snakes have plasma
α
1
-albumins that probably antagonize the vascular endothelial receptor for crotaline venom
proteolytic hemorrhagins, and thereby provide resistance against some crotaline venoms
(Weinstein et al., 1992). This allows some species of
Lampropeltis
to opportunistically prey
on sympatric crotaline snakes. These snakes lack Duvernoy's glands as well as any specialized
dentition, and bites are medically insignificant.
Photo copyright to Julian White.
trauma (e.g., penetration of a steel nail in a digit, or mild blunt impact) may pro-
duce variable erythema, reactive edema, and ecchymoses. Therefore, even minor
trauma without any toxic insult may be interpreted subjectively when such trauma is
inflicted by a snakebite. For example, de Haro and Pommier (2003) reported a case
of
Lampropeltis
spp. (king or milk snake species, e.g.,
Plate 4.93
) bite that featured
pain, edema, and lymphangitis. In contrast, Weed (1993) reported a
Lampropeltis
spp. bite without any significant effects. Several of us have personally experienced
and observed numerous bites from various
Lampropeltis
spp. without any significant
effects. Members of the tribe Lampropeltini either lack Duvernoy's glands or exhibit
structures interpreted by some investigators as “atrophied” Duvernoy's (“venom”)
glands (Fry et al., 2008), and any effect from their bites can be ascribed to minor
physical trauma and/or individual atopic tendencies towards ophidian saliva. It is note-
worthy that in the cases cited above, the individuals bitten by
Lampropeltis
spp. were
concerned enough by the experience to present at a local emergency room. Thus, a sig-
nificant anxiety-driven somatosensory amplification component is probably present in
a number of these cases (e.g.,
H. gigas
, Manning et al., 1999;
M. rhodomelas
, Subaraj,
2008;
Table 4.1
). Some authors have opined that a bite from any ophidian species can
frighten the victim so profoundly that a bitten patient may appear “half-dead with fear”
(Saha and Hati, 1998). Although this may seem extreme, a substantial number of peo-
ple in Western and Third World cultures are deeply influenced by snakes, and the pros-
pect of snakebite is perceived as tantamount to a death sentence.
21
This can present
21
As noted previously (see section 4.4.7), even innocuous lizards such as the leopard gecko (
Eublepharis
macularis
) may be viewed as causing “instant death” on contact.
