Philodryas psammophideus Family: Colubridae Subfamily: Dipsadinae Genus: Philodryas Species: psammophideus Common Names Gunther's Green Racer Local Names Culebra Rayada Region South America Countries Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay   Taxonomy and Biology Adult Length: 0.80 m General Shape Medium in length, cylindrical, slender bodied snake with a medium length tail. Can grow to a maximum of about metres 1.20 metres. Head is narrow and moderately distinct from neck. Eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth with apical pits. Dorsal scale count 19 - 19 - 15. Habitat Found mainly in cerrado. Habits Diurnal and terrestrial snake. Prey Feeds mainly on lizards. Species Map Small (Approx 20k) version   Venom General: Venom Neurotoxins Postsynaptic neurotoxins General: Venom Myotoxins Possibly present but not clinically significant General: Venom Procoagulants Not present General: Venom Anticoagulants Not present General: Venom Haemorrhagins Possibly present General: Venom Nephrotoxins Not present General: Venom Cardiotoxins Not present General: Venom Necrotoxins Not present General: Venom Other Oedema-forming activity   Clinical Effects General: Dangerousness Unknown, but potentially lethal envenoming, though unlikely, cannot be excluded. General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be moderate General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown, but unlikely to prove lethal General: Local Effects Local pain, swelling & bruising. Pain & swelling can be severe. General: Local Necrosis Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence General: General Systemic Effects Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence General: Neurotoxic Paralysis Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence General: Myotoxicity Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence General: Renal Damage Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence General: Cardiotoxicity Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence 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 non-front-fanged colubroid snakes likely to cause either no effects or only mild local effects. 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. 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 Philodryas species commonly cause moderate to severe local & regional pain & swelling, sometimes with bruising, a clinical picture similar to bites by some major venomous snakes found in the same region. This may cause diagnostic confusion and has resulted in inappropriate use of antivenom. Treatment is symptomatic, mostly pain relief, but beware massive local swelling causing fluid shifts, resulting in secondary hypovolaemic shock. Key Diagnostic Features Local pain, swelling, ecchymosis, usually no significant systemic effects General Approach to Management It is possible that most cases will be minor, but some cases may be more severe, requiring admission and treatment, so assess carefully before discharge. Antivenom Therapy No antivenom available Antivenoms No Antivenoms   Images No images for Images