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Venomous or Non-venomous ?
The False water cobra is a VENOMOUS species of snake. It is ophistoglyphous ( rear fanged ) and has an active Duvranoys
gland. It does not store venom in glands as Elapids or Vipers do. However it manufactures it as needed in small quantities.
Its rear enlarged teeth ( fangs ) have groves anteriorly that allows the venom to travel into the wound while chewing on its
victom.
To date there have been NO fatalities caused by the False water cobra. There have been serious bites though causing
swollen arms and damaged tissue as a result of the venom being introduced into the wound.
As with other rear fanged species it seems to be a matter of how long the snake is allowed to maintain its bite on the
victom. The longer the bite the more serious the outcome.
While feeding the snake combines venom and constriction to subdue its prey. It is a toss up as to what is the final
cause of death, ie. venom or suffocation?
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