 |
|
|
![Pseudocerastes persicus ( Persian Horned Viper ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]](images/snakes/SNP00611.jpg)
|
|
Family: Viperidae
|
|
Subfamily: Viperinae
|
|
Genus: Pseudocerastes
|
|
Species: persicus
|
|
Subspecies: persicus , fieldi
|
Common Names
Persian Horned Viper , False-horned Viper , False Cerastes. Field's Viper , Field's Horned Viper ( P . p. fieldi ).
|
Region
Middle East + North Africa + West Asia
|
Countries
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxonomy and Biology
|
|
Adult Length: 0.45 m
|
General Shape
Small to medium in length, cylindrical and stout bodied snake with a short, slender tail. Can grow to a maximum length of 1.16 metres. Head is broad, flat, depressed, pear shaped when viewed from above and distinct from neck. Snout is short and blunt. Eyes are medium in size with vertically elliptical pupils. Scales are weakly to moderately keeled but not arranged obliquely. Dorsal scale count ( 21 to 25 )- ( 21 to 25 ) - 19.
|
Habitat
Up to about 2200 metres in sandy ( but not sand dune ) or basalt and limestone rock desert and hill country, usually with some vegetation. Tends to avoid areas of human habitation.
|
Habits
Nocturnal and terrestrial although sometimes climbs into small bushes. Slow moving snake. Capable of sidewinding locomotion. Takes shelter in rodent burrows, rock crevices or under boulders. Relatively placid disposition. If disturbed it will hiss loudly but usually requires some provocation before striking.
|
Prey
Feeds mainly on lizards, small mammals, mice and occasionally small birds and arthropods, but will eat dead food.
|
|
|
|
Venom
|
Average Venom Qty
Iran : 44 ± 4 mg ( n=5932 ) ( dry weight of milked venom ), Latifi (1984) ( Ref : R000482 ).
Iran : 100 mg ( dry weight of milked venom ), Latifi (1984) ( Ref : R000482 ).
|
General: Venom Neurotoxins
Presynaptic neurotoxins
|
General: Venom Myotoxins
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Procoagulants
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Anticoagulants
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Necrotoxins
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Other
Unknown
|
|
|
|
Clinical Effects
|
General: Dangerousness
Unknown, but unlikely to cause significant envenoming, most unlikely to be dangerous.
|
|
General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown
|
|
General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unlikely to prove lethal
|
General: Local Effects
Local pain & swelling
|
General: Local Necrosis
Insufficient clinical reports to know
|
General: General Systemic Effects
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
|
General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
Insufficient clinical reports to know
|
General: Myotoxicity
Not likely to occur
|
General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Unlikely to occur
|
General: Renal Damage
Unlikely to occur
|
General: Cardiotoxicity
Unlikely to occur
|
General: Other
Insufficient clinical reports to know
|
|
|
|
First Aid
|
|
Description: First aid for bites by Viperid snakes likely to cause significant local injury at the bite site (see listing in Comments section).
|
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. The bitten limb should be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling; if available, crepe bandaging of the splinted limb is an effective form of immobilisation.
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.
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.
|
|
|
|
Treatment
|
Treatment Summary
Limited clinical data suggest bites result in local effects only. Carefully assess. Role of antivenom most uncertain and unlikely to be required.
|
Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain, swelling, possibly flaccid paralysis
|
General Approach to Management
It is possible that most cases will be minor, but some cases may be more severe, requiring admission and treatment, so assess carefully before discharge.
|
Antivenom Therapy
Only antivenoms available are for related species, but should be used for significant envenoming
|
| 1. Antivenom Code: SAsRII02
|
|
Antivenom Name: Polyvalent Snake Antivenin
|
|
Manufacturer: Razi Serum and Vaccine Research Institute
|
|
Phone: +98 261 3119708
|
|
Address: Iran Karaj P.O. Box : 31975/148 Post No. :3197619751
|
|
Country: I.R. Iran
|
| 2. Antivenom Code: SAfVAC02
|
|
Antivenom Name: Polyvalent Snake Venom Antiserum
|
|
Manufacturer: VACSERA
|
|
Phone: (+20 2) 3761-1111
|
|
Address: 51 Wezaret El Zeraa St., Agouza, Giza, 22311
|
|
Country: Egypt
|
|
|
|
