![Malpolon monspessulanus ( Montpellier Snake ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]](images/snakes/SNP00031.jpg)
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Family: Lamprophiidae
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Subfamily: Psammophiinae
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Genus: Malpolon
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Species: monspessulanus
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Subspecies: monspessulanus , insignitus
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Common Names
Montpellier Snake , Yaleh Snake , Common Lizard Snake ( M. m. insignitus ), Western Montpellier Snake ( M. m. monspessulanus ) , Western Montpellier Snake ( M. m. insignitus )
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Local Names
Egtateh , Hanish Aswad
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Region
Middle East + North Africa + Europe
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Countries
Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 1.30 m
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General Shape
Large in length, relatively uniform width, cylindrical and moderately slender bodied snake with a medium to moderately long tapering tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 2.07 metres. Head is elongate, narrow, rather high, with a midline depression ( a characteristically shaped head ) and slightly distinct from neck. The canthus is distinct, raised and overhanging, both "eyebrows" extending anteriorly onto the snout as 2 strong ridges with a hollow between them. Eyes are large in size with round pupils. Ventrals are large. Dorsal scales are smooth with a slight depression at their centre.
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Habitat
Up to about 2200 metres in warm, dry habitats with a preference for open, rocky, sandy terrain with bushy vegetation or grasslands. Also found in open woods, cultivated land and sometimes near river banks.
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Habits
Diurnal, but crepuscular and nocturnal activity in the hottest months. Active terrestrial snake with a relatively mild disposition. Tends to flee if approached. If disturbed or threatened it hisses loudly for prolonged periods and may flatten its body and spread a small hood. If provoked it will attempt to bite without much hesitation. Tends to take refuge in burrows of lizards, mice, rabbits etc. and occupies the same site for years. An agile species which moves quickly on the ground, strong swimmer and will climb bushes and small trees.
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Prey
Feeds mainly on lizards, other snakes, small mammals and birds. Juveniles tend to eat cockroaches, grasshoppers and other large insects
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Venom
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Average Venom Qty
0.63 µl / g body weight, Rosenberg et al (1985) ( Ref : R000566 ).
0.44 µl / g body weight, Rosenberg et al (1992) ( Ref : R000614 ).
5.2 µl / g body weight, Rosenberg et al (1992) ( Ref : R000614 ).
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Not present
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Not present
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Present but not defined
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Other
Not present or not significant
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Moderate envenoming possible but unlikely to prove lethal
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be moderate
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unlikely to prove lethal
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General: Local Effects
Local pain & swelling
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General: Local Necrosis
Not likely to occur
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General: General Systemic Effects
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions
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General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
Rarely reported, usually minor
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General: Myotoxicity
Not likely to occur
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Unlikely to occur
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General: Renal Damage
Unlikely to occur
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Unlikely to occur
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General: Other
Not likely to occur
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for potentially dangerous non-front-fanged colubroid snakes (see listing in Comments section).
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Details
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment.
2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged.
3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops.
4. If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage (even torn strips of clothing or pantyhose) should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as for a sprain; not so tight circulation is impaired), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes, going over the top of clothing rather than risking excessive limb movement by removing clothing. The bitten limb should then be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling.
5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention.
6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock.
7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration.
8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites. In Australia and parts of New Guinea, Snake Venom Detection Kits are available to identify the snake from venom left on the skin.
9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Possibly capable of moderate envenoming, but no specific antivenom, treat symptomatically.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Minimal to mild local effects, rare occurrence of systemic paralytic effects, but full respiratory paralysis not documented
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General Approach to Management
All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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