This Region Has the Highest number of Recorded Venomous Snake bites and Fatalities in the World
There are a reported 250,000 estimated venomoussnake bites per year in India. Of that number, it is estimated that there are at least 50,000 fatalities, or approximately 20% of the snake bites victims. The "Big Four" of venomous snakes in India Include the following:
1). Saw Scaled Viper
Krait venom is extremely neurotoxic and induces muscle paralysis. Clinically, their venom contains pre-synaptic neurotoxins, and is many times more venomous than that of the common cobras. These neurotoxins generally affect the nerve endings near the synaptic gap of the brain. Kraits are nocturnal and seldom encounter humans during daylight hours, so incidents are rare. Note that there is frequently little or no pain from a krait bite and this can provide false reassurance to the victim. Typically, victims complain of severe abdominal cramps, accompanied by progressive paralysis. Once bitten, the absorption of the venom into the victim can be considerably delayed by applying a pressure bandage to the bite site (using about the same tension as one uses for a sprained ankle) and immobilising the area. This allow for gentle transport to medical facilities, where the venom can be treated when the bandage is removed. See www.divingmedicine.info, Chapters 29 and 42. As there are no local symptoms, a patient should be carefully observed for signs of paralysis (e.g., the onset of ptosis) and treated urgently with antivenin. Note that it is also possible to support bite victims viamechanical ventilation, using equipment of the type generally available at hospitals. Such support should be provided until the venom is metabolised and the victim can breathe unaided. If death occurs it takes place approximately 6-8 hours after the krait bite. Cause of death is general respiratory failure, i.e., suffocation.
There are a reported 250,000 estimated venomoussnake bites per year in India. Of that number, it is estimated that there are at least 50,000 fatalities, or approximately 20% of the snake bites victims. The "Big Four" of venomous snakes in India Include the following:
1). Saw Scaled Viper
The Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) is a small viper (30 cm in length) found in northern Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, and India. This species spends most of its time buried beneath the sand with only its eyes showing, waiting for prey. When threatened, it rubs its sides together, and specially oriented keeled scales produce a suprisingly loud rasping noise.
This snake holds the distinction of having killed more people than any other. While the venom is disproportionately toxic for its size and the fangs can inject it deeply, the main factors leading to this infamous record are its commonality, its wide range, and its habit of lying mostly buried under the sand (which is compounded by it inhabiting areas in which people often go barefoot and lack modern medical facilities). They are the smallest of the "Big Four" dangerous snakes of India.
They are nocturnal, feasting on mice, lizards, frogs, scorpions, and other arthropods. The adjective "saw-scaled" comes from its hissing noise that resembles the sound of a saw.
2). Russell's Viper
Russell’s Viper is one of the deadliest snakes in the world and coupled with their smaller relative, the Saw-Scaled Viper, account for more snake bite deaths than all other species put together. The Russell’s Viper will transfer a large amount of venom into a single bite. This does not bode well for the victim. Some of the symptoms from a Russell’s Viper bite include pain lasting for 2-4 weeks (this should be an indication of how venomous these guys really are), drop in blood pressure and heart rate, bleeding of the gums, vomiting, swelling, and of course death may occur over two weeks after the bite. Even if you do survive the deadly bite there can be life long complications such as renal failure and a total lack of blood coagulation. Interestingly enough males bitten by this snake may lose their facial hair, have decreased libidos and actually have a reduction in male hormones.
3). Common Krait
Krait venom is extremely neurotoxic and induces muscle paralysis. Clinically, their venom contains pre-synaptic neurotoxins, and is many times more venomous than that of the common cobras. These neurotoxins generally affect the nerve endings near the synaptic gap of the brain. Kraits are nocturnal and seldom encounter humans during daylight hours, so incidents are rare. Note that there is frequently little or no pain from a krait bite and this can provide false reassurance to the victim. Typically, victims complain of severe abdominal cramps, accompanied by progressive paralysis. Once bitten, the absorption of the venom into the victim can be considerably delayed by applying a pressure bandage to the bite site (using about the same tension as one uses for a sprained ankle) and immobilising the area. This allow for gentle transport to medical facilities, where the venom can be treated when the bandage is removed. See www.divingmedicine.info, Chapters 29 and 42. As there are no local symptoms, a patient should be carefully observed for signs of paralysis (e.g., the onset of ptosis) and treated urgently with antivenin. Note that it is also possible to support bite victims viamechanical ventilation, using equipment of the type generally available at hospitals. Such support should be provided until the venom is metabolised and the victim can breathe unaided. If death occurs it takes place approximately 6-8 hours after the krait bite. Cause of death is general respiratory failure, i.e., suffocation.4). Indian (Spectacled) Cobra
The Asian cobra (Naja naja) was formerly considered a single species with much the same distribution as the king cobra. Recently, however, biologists have discovered that nearly a dozen species exist in Asia, some being venom spitters and others not. They vary both in size (most ranging between 1.25 and 1.75 metres) and in the toxicity of their venom. Spitters propel venom.
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