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Family: Viperidae
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Subfamily: Viperinae
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Genus: Bitis
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Species: atropos
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Common Names
Berg Adder , Cape Mountain Adder , Highveld Berg Adder
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Local Names
Berg Adder
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Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
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Countries
Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 0.35 m
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General Shape
Small, slightly depressed, moderately stout bodied snake with a short tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 0.61 metres. Head is relatively elongate for the genus, but broad and distinct from narrow neck. Snout is short and canthus is distinct. Lacks raised ridges or horns above the eye. Eyes are medium in size with vertically elliptical pupils. Dorsal scales ( and head scales ) are strongly keeled ( except the first dorsal scale row which are smooth ) with apical pits. Subcaudals are smooth.
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Habitat
Montane grassland and rocky slopes up to an elevation of about 3000 metres and coastal and montane fynbos. Prefers cool climates with high rainfall. Found in 4 separate locations.
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Habits
Terrestrial and diurnal, fond of basking in grass tussocks or rocky outcrops. It is somewhat ill-tempered and easily angered if disturbed, hissing loudly and striking readily with little improvement in captivity.
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Prey
Diet is varied, but feeds mainly on small amphibians, lizards, ground living birds, rodents and sometimes snakes.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Possibly present
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Possibly present
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Possibly present but not clinically significant
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Possibly present but not clinically significant
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Possibly present but not clinically significant
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Possibly present but not clinically significant
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Possibly present but not clinically significant
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Possibly present but not clinically significant
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General: Venom Other
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Moderate envenoming possible and potentially lethal
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: <1%
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General: Local Effects
Local pain, swelling & bruising
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General: Local Necrosis
Uncommon but can be moderate to severe
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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
Moderate neurotoxic effects may occur.
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General: Myotoxicity
Not likely to occur
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
No reports of coagulopathy, though related species can cause bleeding problems
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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
Unknown
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for bites by Viperid snakes likely to cause significant local injury at the bite site (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. 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.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Envenoming by Berg adders can cause major envenoming. All cases should be assessed urgently and admitted at least overnight. No antivenom is available, but cases reported so far have not developed full paralysis requiring ventilation. While local necrosis is uncommon, good wound care should be instituted.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Local swelling, blistering, necrosis ± flaccid paralysis
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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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| 1. Antivenom Code: SAfSAI03
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Antivenom Name: SAIMR Polyvalent Antivenom
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Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd
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Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078
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Address: Postal address
PO Box 28999
Sandringham 2131
Gauteng Province
Physical address
1 Modderfontein Road
Sandringham, Johannesburg
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Country: South Africa
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| 2. Antivenom Code: SAfSAIBK
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Antivenom Name: SAIMR Snakebite Kit
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Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd
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Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078
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Address: Postal address
PO Box 28999
Sandringham 2131
Gauteng Province
Physical address
1 Modderfontein Road
Sandringham, Johannesburg
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Country: South Africa
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| 3. Antivenom Code: SAfAVC02
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Antivenom Name: Polyvalent Snake Antivenom
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Manufacturer: National Antivenom and Vaccine Production Centre
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Phone: ++966-1-252-0088 ext 45626, 45637.
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Address: P.O. Box 22490
Riyadh 11426
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Country: Saudi Arabia
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