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![Micropechis ikaheka ( Small eyed Snake ) Karkar [ Original photo copyright © David Williams ]](images/snakes/SNP05371.jpg)
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Family: Elapidae
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Subfamily: Elapinae
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Genus: Micropechis
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Species: ikaheka
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Subspecies: ikaheka , fasciatus
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Common Names
Small-eyed Snake , Ikaheka Snake
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Region
New Guinea
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Countries
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 1.20 m
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General Shape
Large in length, stocky, medium bodied, snake with a short tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 1.96 metres. Head is narrow and only slightly distinct from neck. Eyes very small in size with round black pupils ( indistinct iris and no noticeable rim around pupil ). Dorsal scales are smooth without apical pits. Ventrals are rounded.
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Habitat
Confined to monsoon and rainforest regions with dense understorey of vegetation and often found near swamps.
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Habits
Mainly nocturnal, sometimes diurnal and semi-fossorial. Secretive species with a generally mild disposition. If cornered or provoked will become quite aggressive and strikes rapidly to the side with a chewing bite. Shelters under leaf litter, rotting logs, in deep loose soil and in decaying piles of vegetation. Often encountered under coconut husk piles in plantations.
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Prey
Feeds mainly on earthworms, burrowing frogs and small lizards, but will eat snakes.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Postsynaptic neurotoxins
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Possibly present
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Probably not present
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Mixture of anticoagulant activities
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Possibly present
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Other
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be moderate
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but has caused deaths
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General: Local Effects
Local pain & swelling
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General: Local Necrosis
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: General Systemic Effects
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tachypnoea, respiratory distress, hypotension, dizziness, collapse or convulsions
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General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
May cause moderate to severe flaccid paralysis
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General: Myotoxicity
Probably does occur, but frequency & severity uncertain
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Common, moderate to severe coagulopathy + haemorrhagins causing bleeding
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General: Renal Damage
No case reports for this species, but probably can cause renal failure secondary to myolysis.
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General: Cardiotoxicity
No case reports for this species, but possibly can cause hyperkalaemic cardiotoxicity secondary to myolysis.
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General: Other
Unknown
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for bites by Elapid snakes which do not cause significant injury at the bite site (see Comments for partial listing), but which may have the potential to cause significant general (systemic) effects, such as paralysis, muscle damage, or bleeding.
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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. For Australian snakes only, do not wash or clean the wound in any way, as this may interfere with later venom detection once in a hospital.
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.
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
Capable of severe, even fatal envenoming, so requires urgent assessment, support of respiration, if impaired, urgent antivenom therapy if systemic envenoming.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain & swelling, flaccid paralysis, ± myolysis ± anticoagulant coagulopathy ± renal failure
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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
Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required.
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