As a person who has suffered mild envenomation from a Broad-banded Copperhead (Agkistrodon laticinctus) I am disappointed to report no enlightenment beyond the obvious: handling venomous serpents can be perilous. My overly concern at not injuring the snake caused me to be nicked by one fang on the tip of my right middle finger while relocating a small copperhead I found on a trail (I call this my channeling Steve Irwin moment). It was extremely painful and resulted in a small amount of tissue damage at the location of the bite and some minor lasting numbness. I do not recall any even mildly hallucinogenic feelings or strange dreams, just intense pain in my finger and hand.
I was treated with a very short course of antivenom which as it turns out I am allergic (a common occurrence) and broke out in hives. I was subsequently administered intravenous Benadryl whose effect was immediate as I watched the hives disappear in just seconds, easily the most surreal event of the experience.
I should note that like most North American pit vipers the copperhead’s venom is primarily hemotoxic that is destructive to blood and tissue so it would not be expected to have significant neurological effects. A neurotoxic venom such as that of cobras or their North American relative, the coral snake might under some circumstances result in an altered state. I do recall reading an account of a zoo keeper who after being envenomated by a large cobra describing the perfect serenity he felt as he watched his colleague rush about frantically to save his life. Fortunately for him they were successful at administering cobra antivenom prior to the venom disabling the nerves controlling his diaphragm (see "The Keeper And The Kept" by Carl Kauffeld; pages 83-86).
I have always been interested in herpetology and I caught and kept numerous rattlesnakes as pets during my teens in California however this was my first experience handling a copperhead. I immediately knew what it was and being an especially attractive snake, I wanted to get a closer look before releasing it off the trail. I had thought myself experienced with handling venomous snakes but in this case, it was not enough or too much depending on your perspective.
The key of course it is keeping away from the biting bits which is straight forward with the rattlesnakes and cottonmouths I was familiar since their large head to neck ratio make it easy to firmly grip them directly behind their heads. Doing so prevents them from turning their head back and exposing you to their fangs. Copperheads have a less pronounced triangular head and this specimen being only about 18 inches long, even less so. My error (outside of picking it up) was that my grip had not firmly connected with the actual back of its head and after a few minutes and just before it was about to be released it was able to twist around just enough to nick my finger.
Your parents let you keep rattlesnakes? Like how did this play out? I'm imagining it produced quite the reputation.
My first job was actually at a pet store, so I sometimes caught snakes from the pens. This is more contact than most people have, but I have to say I was never all that comfortable, and did on occasion get bit by a particularly mean red-tailed boa.
I’m along for the rabbit hole ride. This isn’t a peer reviewed publication, it’s a place for wild theories to be entertained and discussed. It takes gumption to put a complete product out there. Building the whole Jenga tower yourself is how it was in the good old days, and it’s what you have to do if you want to inject any new ideas into the modern scientific bloodstream. I eagerly await more and wilder posts!
It is very much like an updated Jaynes, though with much more focus evolution and on finding evidence. Hope you enjoy!
I haven't seen Conan, but I know the line! All those 20th century writers were into the occult, and hence picked up on all sorts of snake cult stuff. Compare Dune to Eve Theory, for example. Female cult that drinks the psychedelic liquid from a worm, looking for a man who can handle the process.
As a person who has suffered mild envenomation from a Broad-banded Copperhead (Agkistrodon laticinctus) I am disappointed to report no enlightenment beyond the obvious: handling venomous serpents can be perilous. My overly concern at not injuring the snake caused me to be nicked by one fang on the tip of my right middle finger while relocating a small copperhead I found on a trail (I call this my channeling Steve Irwin moment). It was extremely painful and resulted in a small amount of tissue damage at the location of the bite and some minor lasting numbness. I do not recall any even mildly hallucinogenic feelings or strange dreams, just intense pain in my finger and hand.
I was treated with a very short course of antivenom which as it turns out I am allergic (a common occurrence) and broke out in hives. I was subsequently administered intravenous Benadryl whose effect was immediate as I watched the hives disappear in just seconds, easily the most surreal event of the experience.
I should note that like most North American pit vipers the copperhead’s venom is primarily hemotoxic that is destructive to blood and tissue so it would not be expected to have significant neurological effects. A neurotoxic venom such as that of cobras or their North American relative, the coral snake might under some circumstances result in an altered state. I do recall reading an account of a zoo keeper who after being envenomated by a large cobra describing the perfect serenity he felt as he watched his colleague rush about frantically to save his life. Fortunately for him they were successful at administering cobra antivenom prior to the venom disabling the nerves controlling his diaphragm (see "The Keeper And The Kept" by Carl Kauffeld; pages 83-86).
Amazing!
What made you pick up the snake? Do you know much about handling snakes?
I have always been interested in herpetology and I caught and kept numerous rattlesnakes as pets during my teens in California however this was my first experience handling a copperhead. I immediately knew what it was and being an especially attractive snake, I wanted to get a closer look before releasing it off the trail. I had thought myself experienced with handling venomous snakes but in this case, it was not enough or too much depending on your perspective.
The key of course it is keeping away from the biting bits which is straight forward with the rattlesnakes and cottonmouths I was familiar since their large head to neck ratio make it easy to firmly grip them directly behind their heads. Doing so prevents them from turning their head back and exposing you to their fangs. Copperheads have a less pronounced triangular head and this specimen being only about 18 inches long, even less so. My error (outside of picking it up) was that my grip had not firmly connected with the actual back of its head and after a few minutes and just before it was about to be released it was able to twist around just enough to nick my finger.
Your parents let you keep rattlesnakes? Like how did this play out? I'm imagining it produced quite the reputation.
My first job was actually at a pet store, so I sometimes caught snakes from the pens. This is more contact than most people have, but I have to say I was never all that comfortable, and did on occasion get bit by a particularly mean red-tailed boa.
I’m along for the rabbit hole ride. This isn’t a peer reviewed publication, it’s a place for wild theories to be entertained and discussed. It takes gumption to put a complete product out there. Building the whole Jenga tower yourself is how it was in the good old days, and it’s what you have to do if you want to inject any new ideas into the modern scientific bloodstream. I eagerly await more and wilder posts!
Thanks! It helps that the supporting facts are interesting in their own right. Okay to be wrong and learn a lot about language, mythology and history
I haven’t had this much fun with a rabbit hole since first picking up Julian Jaynes. Can’t wait to read the rest!
Have you seen Conan the Barbarian? The snake cult from there is what I am currently imagining
It is very much like an updated Jaynes, though with much more focus evolution and on finding evidence. Hope you enjoy!
I haven't seen Conan, but I know the line! All those 20th century writers were into the occult, and hence picked up on all sorts of snake cult stuff. Compare Dune to Eve Theory, for example. Female cult that drinks the psychedelic liquid from a worm, looking for a man who can handle the process.
So far, snakes, drugs, consciousness, hallucinogens, and now beer. What will the next be?? Waiting for chocolate I guess.
Puppies and pronouns