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Family: Acrochordidae
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Genus: Acrochordus
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Species: arafurae
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Common Names
Arafura Filesnake , Arafura Wart Snake
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Region
Australia + New Guinea + Indonesia
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Countries
Australia, 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, moderately stout bodied snake with a short, slightly compressed prehensile tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 2.50 metres. Head is small, barely distinct from neck and largely covered with small granular scales similar to the body. Snout is short and obtusely rounded when viewed from above. Eyes are located dorsolaterally, very small in size with round pupils. Nostrils face anteriorly. Skin is loose or baggy and rough. Dorsal scales are keeled, small, granular and tuberculate. Ventrals, subcaudals and anals are not enlarged or distinguishable.
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Habitat
Found in slow moving freshwater rivers, lakes and swamps and occasionally inshore marine or estuarine locations.
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Habits
Nocturnal and aquatic snake. Excellent swimmer but helpless on land.
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Prey
Feeds entirely on fish.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
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
Not present
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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
Not dangerous
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Zero
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Zero
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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
Does not occur
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General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
Does not occur
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General: Myotoxicity
Does not occur
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur
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General: Renal Damage
Does not occur
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Does not occur
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General: Other
Does not occur
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for bites by pythons, boas and other strictly non-venomous snakes (excluding non-front-fanged colubroid snakes).
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Details
If the snake is large and is applying constriction to a vital area, particularly the head, neck, or chest, such that the patient is already, or is in imminent danger of having compromise of vital functions, such as breathing, then the priority is to disengage the snake coils causing such constriction. Beware, for a large snake, constriction of more than one person is possible; if possible get several people to assist in controlling the snake. There are no absolute methods for disengaging a constricting snake, but as a starting point, it may be useful to start by unwrapping from the tail end first, progressively unwinding the snake from the patient. Be sure to have someone control the head of the snake, grasping it firmly on the neck, immediately behind the head, but again beware, as the snake may try to throw constricting coils around the hand, arm, or even body of the person grasping the head and may attempt to lever the head out of the person's grasp, allowing the snake to bite.
If the snake is still biting the patient, grip the snake behind the head and endeavour to withdraw the head from the patient, but do not pull the snake head directly backwards as the teeth are recurved, pointing backwards toward the rear of the mouth. It is possible to break teeth off during this process; these lost teeth may act as a focus for secondary infection if not removed promptly. Often, just gripping the snake behind the head, while removing any coils around the patient, may induce the snake to open its mouth and disengage from biting. This is the preferred outcome. Trying to manually open the snakes mouth to disengage it from biting is very difficult, not least because of the loose connection between the right and left sides of the lower jaw, such that each moves independently.
Once the snake has been removed from the patient and secured where no other person is likely to be harmed, the bite wound should be thoroughly washed with clean, preferably sterile water. Disinfectant may be used. Any jewelry, such as rings or bangles, should be removed from the bitten limb, in case major swelling develops.
If there has been major constriction by a large snake there is the possibility of injuries to limbs or internal organs distant from the bite site. In this setting, early medical attention is required, to assess for such injuries.
For all but minor bites by small snakes, there is a risk of potentially severe local infection. It is therefore advisable, if possible, to seek early medical attention, for update of tetanus immunisation (if required) and consideration of antibiotic treatment.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Bites by these non-venomous snakes are uncommon, but can cause local trauma from sharp teeth, resulting in local pain and swelling, possibly secondary infection. The bite site should be cleaned, analgesia given if required, advise re secondary infection. If infection develops over next few days, give targeted antibiotic therapy.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain & swelling
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General Approach to Management
Most cases will be minor & not require admission.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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