"Venomous" Bites from "Non-Venomous" Snakes, Second Edition thoroughly examines the potential hazards associated with bites by non-front-fanged snakes (popularly, but inaccurately, called "rear-fanged snakes"). This diverse group contains approximately 80% of living snake species (approximately 2,900 species). A large proportion of these snakes were previously assigned to the family Colubridae but, as a consequence of expanding systematics investigations, have been split into multiple families and subfamilies. Many of these snakes produce venoms or oral secretions that contain toxins and other biologically active substances. A large variety of non front-fanged snakes figure in the pet industry, yet little documented information or formal study of their potential medical importance has been published. Therefore, although the possible medical importance of many of these species has been subjected to speculation since the mid-19th century, there is a limited amount of useful descriptive information regarding the real hazard (or lack thereof) of this wide variety of snakes.

The first edition of this book provided "one-stop shopping" by offering information regarding their possible toxicity and clinical relevance as well as recommendations for medical management of their bites. The second edition expands and updates the content with detailed information about the effects and medical management of bites by a broad representation of non front-fanged species. The hypothetical venomous nature of some lizards considered as non-venomous such as the Komodo monitor or dragon and their allies, as well as the medical effects of their bites, is also examined. The dynamic taxonomy of advanced snakes is updated, and the bases for some of these fluid changes are discussed. Likewise, terminology is also updated in order to reflect the ongoing debates regarding the definition of "venom" and the balanced reinforcement of nonmedical criteria used to define the biological basis of the term "venomous."


Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
About the authors
Foreword
Preface to the second edition
Acknowledgments for the second edition
Introduction
Methods
Chapter 1. A summary of taxing taxonomic considerations: non-front-fanged snakes and the shifting sands of systematics
1.1. The shifting sands of taxonomic reassignments and their relevance to the envenomed patient
1.2. Brief glimpses of a vast landscape: the basics of taxonomic reassignments and discordance of morphological and molecular systematics investigations
1.3. Outlined inventory of a recent higher phylogeny of Caenophidian snakes
1.4. General phylogenetic inventory of Caenophidian snakes: comments and consideration of known medical significance
Chapter 2. Differences between buccal gland secretion and associated venom delivery systems of front-fanged snakes and non-front-fanged snakes: Low- versus high-pressure gland function and canaliculated versus solid dentition
2.1. Basic considerations regarding gland structure and function
2.2. Overview of hypotheses for the evolution of venom-delivery systems and other adaptive gland functions
2.3. Theories considering the evolution of canaliculated fangs and enlarged grooved teeth
2.4. Low-pressure Duvernoy's glands' and high-pressure venom glands: a question of semantics?
Chapter 3. A brief overview of the history of non-front-fanged snake venom research
3.1. Background and beginnings
3.2. The modern era: advances and attributions
3.3. A brief overview of major classes of non-front-fanged colubroid venom components (see Tables 3.2 3.4)
Chapter 4. Medically significant bites by non-front-fanged snakes (NFFCs)
4.1. Typical features of documented cases and evidence-based risk
4.2. Some representative genera: typical features of bites and an overview of their natural history and toxinology
Colubridae, Ahaetuliinae
4.3. Life-threatening and fatal cases: non-front-fanged snakes with lethal potential and assessment of evidence-based risk
4.4. Aberrant cases and representative cases without clear etiology: a critical assessment of risk
4.5. Pitfalls noted in documented cases: Differentiating Perceived versus Evidence-Based Risk
4.6. Recommendations for management of medically significant non-front-fanged snake bites
Chapter 5. Summary and conclusions
Appendix A. Representative unverified cases of medically significant non-front-fanged snake bites posted on the internet
Appendix B. Representative lethal potency ranges and yields of venoms and other oral products from selected non-front-fanged colubroid snakes
Appendix C. Strategies for management of gram-negative septicemia: are there lessons to be learned for managing venom-induced coagulopathies?
Appendix D. Legal considerations regarding private ownership of venomous snakes (including hazard level 1 non-front fanged snakes): an opinionated essay
Appendix E. List of examined osteological specimens
Additional recommended reading
Bibliography
Glossary
A call for cases
Index