Venomous Snake Bite Protocols

Venomous Snake Bite Protocols

Nobody likes to think of the possibility that they can be bitten by their captive venomous snake(s). However, every keeper must accept this as a high possibility and must be prepared in the event that things "don't go as planned". Every keeper has either been bitten or has had a close call that might require a change in under clothing. In the event of an envenomation, the keeper must be prepared to place their charges back in their enclosures, lock them securely, grab their bite protocols and antivenin, and then get to the hospital. It would be advised to not waste time trying to provide yourself first aid, as it is said that the best first aid kit in the event of a bite, is a set of car keys. Below are links to a variety of Venomous Snake bite treatment protocols that are printable and ready to go to the hospital in the event of an envenomation.

Listed bite protocols are courtesy of The San Diego School of Medicine.

Photos courtesy of: Midwest Tongs

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ACANTHOPHIS (DEATH ADDER)

Acanthophis antarcticus antarcticus (Common Death Adder)

Acanthophis antarcticus laevis (Eastern Death Adder)

Acanthophis pyrrhus (Desert or Centralian Death Adder)

BITIS SPECIES

Bitis Arietans (Puff Adder)

Bitis Gabonica (Gaboon Viper)

Bitis Nasicornis (Rhinoceros Horned Viper)

BOTHROPS SPECIES

(Central & South America)

BUNGARUS SPECIES (KRAITS)

LACHESIS (BUSHMASTER)

Lachesis muta muta (Bushmaster)

CROTALUS SPECIES (RATTLESNAKES)

Crotalus species (United States & Canadian Rattlesnakes)

DENDROASPIS (MAMBA)

Dendroaspis angusticeps (Eastern Green Mamba) - Currently unavailable

Dendroaspis jamesoni jamesoni (Jameson's Mamba)

Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae (East African Jameson's Mamba)

Dendroaspis polylepis antinorii (Antinori's Black Mamba)

Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis (Black Mamba)

Dendroaspis viridis (Western Green Mamba)

NAJA (COBRA)

Naja naja kaouthia (Monocellate Cobra)

Naja naja melanoleuca (Forest Cobra)

Naja naja naja (Indian or Common Cobra)

Naja nivea (Cape Cobra)

OPHIOPHAGUS HANNAH

NOTECHIS SPECIES

OXYURANUS (TAIPAN)

Oxyuranus microlepidotus (Inland Taipan)

Oxyuranus scutellatus canni (Papuan Taipan)

Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus (Australian or Common Taipan)

PSEUDECHIS SPECIES

VIPERA SPECIES

Vipera ammodytes (Long-nosed Viper)

Vipera russelli pulchella (Russell's Viper)

Vipera russelli siamensis (Sri Lankan Russell's Viper) - Currently unavailable

Vipera xanthina palestinae (Palestine Viper)