Clinical Toxinology Resources Home
 
 
 
Protobothrops mucrosquamatus
General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid , Antivenoms
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Crotalinae
Genus: Protobothrops
Species: mucrosquamatus
Common Names
Chinese Habu , Taiwanese Pit Viper , Formosan Habu , Brown-spotted Pit Viper , Taiwan Habu
Local Names
Laotie Tou , Kuu-kaa Huei
Region
Indian Sub-continent + North Asia + Southeast Asia
Countries
Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam
 
Taxonomy and Biology
Adult Length: 0.70 m
General Shape
Small to medium in length, slender bodied snake with a moderately short tail. Can grow to a maximum 1.20 metres. Head is large, elongate, longer than broad, subtriangular shaped and distinct from neck. Eyes are medium in size with vertically elliptical pupils. Body and tail scales are dull, rough and strongly keeled ( keeled on the posterior portion ). Dorsal scale count 25 ( 23 to 29 ) - 25 ( 23 - 27 ) - ( 19 or 21 ) but variable.
Habitat
Both open and forested regions up to about 1400 metres, particularly in bamboo forest, agricultural regions and tea plantations near streams. Will venture near dwellings and occasionally enter in search of prey.
Habits
Nocturnal and mainly terrestrial snake with arboreal tendencies. Sluggish and docile but will bite if provoked.
Prey
Feeds mainly on rodents, birds, snakes, frogs and insectivores.
Species Map
Small (Approx 20k) version
 
Venom
Average Venom Qty
140 mg ( dry weight ), Sawai (1976) ( Ref : R000769 ).
General: Venom Neurotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Myotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Procoagulants
Fibrinogenases
General: Venom Anticoagulants
Possibly present
General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Zinc metalloproteinase
General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Unknown
General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Necrotoxins
Possibly present
General: Venom Other
Oedema inducing toxins
 
Clinical Effects
General: Dangerousness
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
General: Rate of Envenoming: >80%
General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but has caused deaths
General: Local Effects
Marked local effects; pain, severe swelling, bruising, blistering, necrosis
General: Local Necrosis
Uncommon but can be moderate to severe
General: General Systemic Effects
General systemic effects possible but uncommon to rare
General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
No clinical reports for this species, but related species do not cause paralysis
General: Myotoxicity
No case reports for this species, but related species do not cause systemic myolysis
General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Uncommon, may be moderate to severe coagulopathy
General: Renal Damage
Uncommon to rare, usually secondary effect
General: Cardiotoxicity
Rare, usually secondary
General: Other
Shock secondary to fluid shifts due to local tissue injury is likely in severe cases
 
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
Bites by this species cause moderate, possibly major local & systemic effects, including coagulopathy/bleeding. Urgently assess & admit all cases. Antivenom therapy is probably the key treatment, especially for coagulopathy.
Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain, swelling, blistering, necrosis + coagulopathy, bleeding, renal failure
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.
Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
Antivenoms
1. Antivenom Code: SAsCRI01
Antivenom Name: Polyvalent Anti Snake Venom Serum
Manufacturer: Central Research Institute
Phone: ++91-1-792-72114
Address: Kasauli (H.P.) 173204
Country: India
2. Antivenom Code: SAsSII01
Antivenom Name: SII Polyvalent Antisnake Venom Serum ( lyophilized )
Manufacturer: Serum Institute of India Ltd.
Phone: +91-20-26993900
Address: 212/2, Hadapsar,
Off Soli Poonawalla Road,
Pune-411042. India
Country: India
3. Antivenom Code: SAsSII02
Antivenom Name: SII Bivalent Antisnake Venom Serum ( lyophilized )
Manufacturer: Serum Institute of India Ltd.
Phone: +91-20-26993900
Address: 212/2, Hadapsar,
Off Soli Poonawalla Road,
Pune-411042. India
Country: India
4. Antivenom Code: SAsVCT02
Antivenom Name: Bivalent Antivenin Pit Viper, Trimeresurus antivenin
Manufacturer: National Institute of Preventative Medicine
Phone: +886-2-2395-9825
Address: Linshen Office Address:
No.6, Linshen S. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan 100,
R.O.C.

Kunyang Office Address:
No.161, KunYang St., Taipei, Taiwan 115,
R.O.C.
Country: Taiwan
No images
Find a Reference
Reference Number: