Pseudonaja modesta Family: Elapidae Subfamily: Elapinae Genus: Pseudonaja Species: modesta Common Names Ringed Brown Snake Region Australia Countries Australia   Taxonomy and Biology Adult Length: 0.60 m General Shape Small in length, slender bodied snake with a medium to moderately short length tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 0.92 metres. Head is relatively small and indistinct from neck with a prominent canthus rostralis. Snout is rounded when viewed from above. Eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth. Habitat Arid and semi-arid scrub, shrublands, hummock grasslands and open woodlands. Habits Diurnal and terrestrial snake with nocturnal tendencies in hotter weather. A fast moving snake with a very shy and placid disposition. If confronted it will flee for the nearest cover. If cornered and provoked it will raise its forebody off the ground in an upward sloping S position and strikes rapidly. Takes shelter in abandoned animal burrows, under logs or rocks or in spinifex or similar vegetation. It is capable of excavating its own burrow in lose sandy soil with a surface crust. Prey Feeds mainly on lizards ( mainly skinks and small geckos ). Species Map Small (Approx 20k) version   Venom General: Venom Neurotoxins Possibly present but not clinically significant General: Venom Myotoxins Unknown General: Venom Procoagulants Possibly present but not clinically significant General: Venom Anticoagulants Not present General: Venom Haemorrhagins Not present General: Venom Nephrotoxins Not present General: Venom Cardiotoxins Not present General: Venom Necrotoxins Not present General: Venom Other Not present or not significant   Clinical Effects General: Dangerousness Moderate envenoming possible but unlikely to prove lethal General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unlikely to prove lethal General: Local Effects Local pain only General: Local Necrosis Not likely to occur General: General Systemic Effects Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions General: Neurotoxic Paralysis Unlikely to occur General: Myotoxicity Not likely to occur General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages Rare, then usually minor coagulopathy only General: Renal Damage Unlikely to occur General: Cardiotoxicity Unlikely to occur General: Other Not likely to occur   First Aid 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. 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.   Treatment Treatment Summary Unlike other brown snake bites, Pseudonaja modesta bites do not cause coagulopathy or major envenoming and do not, in general, require antivenom therapy. Key Diagnostic Features Minimal local reaction + defibrination coagulopathy ± renal damage 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 Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required. Antivenoms 1. Antivenom Code: SAuCSL11 Antivenom Name: Brown Snake Antivenom Manufacturer: CSL Limited Phone: ++61-3-9389-1911 Toll free: 1800 642 865 Address: 45 Poplar Road Parkville Victoria 3052 Country: Australia 2. Antivenom Code: SAuCSL12 Antivenom Name: Polyvalent Snake Antivenom ( Australia - New Guinea ) Manufacturer: CSL Limited Phone: ++61-3-9389-1911 Toll free: 1800 642 865 Address: 45 Poplar Road Parkville Victoria 3052 Country: Australia   Images Pseudonaja modesta ( Ringed Brown Snake ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Pseudonaja modesta ( Ringed Brown Snake ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Click here for larger version Click here for larger version