Azoun
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2004
- Messages
- 32
Does anyone have the breakdown on exactly what Scolopendra venom does?
I've been researching for my own knowledge, but none of the books I own go into much detail at all regarding the venom. Most just say that centipedes ARE venomous.
Not a single sentence is written about what that venom IS.
My questions are:
1. What does the venom do to prey?
(By this I ask: is the fluid a paralytic, meant to subdue prey? Or is it acidic, meant to help break down the prey? Or something else? I have no clue and would very much like to know exactly what I am dealing with since I am keeping one in my home.)
2. Does anyone know what the venom is classified as, scientifically?
(By this I ask: helotoxin? neurotoxin? Chemically, what is it?)
The reason I'm putting this thread out is because a local nurse asked me about it, and I had no answer for her. As mentioned before, sometimes folks around here do get tagged while doing yardwork. They know there is a venom involved, but why the patients report such pain is of some intrest to a few of us who may come under the scrutiny of medical personnel.
We would really appreciate it if anyone knows exacly what kind of cocktail Scolopendra alternans is packing, and how it works.
Not only that, but if anyone knows how to help NEUTRALIZE it, that would be of prime benefit.
Obviously ice, to reduce swelling would help, but if anyone has heard of anything else, please let me know.
The aim here is to educate people who now know that I am keeping a venomous animal. The more responsible I am, the more knowledge I can disseminate, the better I can dispel some of the local paranoia.
Thanks in advance guys.
I've been researching for my own knowledge, but none of the books I own go into much detail at all regarding the venom. Most just say that centipedes ARE venomous.
Not a single sentence is written about what that venom IS.
My questions are:
1. What does the venom do to prey?
(By this I ask: is the fluid a paralytic, meant to subdue prey? Or is it acidic, meant to help break down the prey? Or something else? I have no clue and would very much like to know exactly what I am dealing with since I am keeping one in my home.)
2. Does anyone know what the venom is classified as, scientifically?
(By this I ask: helotoxin? neurotoxin? Chemically, what is it?)
The reason I'm putting this thread out is because a local nurse asked me about it, and I had no answer for her. As mentioned before, sometimes folks around here do get tagged while doing yardwork. They know there is a venom involved, but why the patients report such pain is of some intrest to a few of us who may come under the scrutiny of medical personnel.
We would really appreciate it if anyone knows exacly what kind of cocktail Scolopendra alternans is packing, and how it works.
Not only that, but if anyone knows how to help NEUTRALIZE it, that would be of prime benefit.
Obviously ice, to reduce swelling would help, but if anyone has heard of anything else, please let me know.
The aim here is to educate people who now know that I am keeping a venomous animal. The more responsible I am, the more knowledge I can disseminate, the better I can dispel some of the local paranoia.
Thanks in advance guys.
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