Re: !!!The Most Deadly Snakes!!!

Posted by Stipetic on May 11, 1998 at 22:36:08:

In Reply to: !!!The Most Deadly Snakes!!! posted by Dr.Derrick C.Cephas (veternarian) on April 20, 1998 at 12:24:05:

:
: !!!DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE (EASTERN-WESTERN)
: AFIRCAN GABOON VIPER,COBRA'S(KING)
: COTTONMOUTH!!

The Eastern Diamondback kills more people in the United States every year than any other snake. The Western Diamomdback occasionally is associated with fatalities, but it's venom is less potent than the Eastern Diamondback. The Eastern Diamondback, we are finding more and more every day, has a neurological component to it's venom. As for Cottonmouths, these probably carry the least potent venom of the North American Pit Vipers, with possibly the exception of Copperheads. Both Copperhead and Cottonmouth bites rarely require antivenin treatment. Even though the Eastern Diamondback kills more people it doesn't have the most potent crotalid venom in the United States. The honor belongs to the Majove Rattlesnake, which has a potent neurotoxin, but not many people get bitten by this one. The most potent venom in the United States belongs to the Elapidae -- Coral snakes. The venom is very potent, but once again, not very many people get bitten by these and it takes time for these to inject their venom because of anatomical differences to Pit Vipers.
As to the Non-North American options: the African Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) is similar in toxicity to the North American Pit Vipers. It causes mainly local damage and blood disorders, while the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) causes intense local pain with minimal damage but has a very potent neurologically active venom. If I had a choice, I would prefer to be bitten by the African Gaboon Viper to the King Cobra.
If I remember correctly the top ten most venomous (most potent venoms) snakes are all in Australia. If I had to guess at the most toxic non-Australian snake I'd have to go with the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) or one of the Kraits (Bungarus).

Follow Ups:

• Re: !!!The Most Deadly Snakes!!! Paul Davies 11/08/99 (0)
• Re: !!!The Most Deadly Snakes!!! mike 5/31/98 (1)
  • Re: !!!The Most Deadly Snakes!!! Anthony S. 06/10/00 (0)

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: : : : !!!DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE (EASTERN-WESTERN) : : AFIRCAN GABOON VIPER,COBRA'S(KING) : : COTTONMOUTH!! : The Eastern Diamondback kills more people in the United States every year than any other snake. The Western Diamomdback occasionally is associated with fatalities, but it's venom is less potent than the Eastern Diamondback. The Eastern Diamondback, we are finding more and more every day, has a neurological component to it's venom. As for Cottonmouths, these probably carry the least potent venom of the North American Pit Vipers, with possibly the exception of Copperheads. Both Copperhead and Cottonmouth bites rarely require antivenin treatment. Even though the Eastern Diamondback kills more people it doesn't have the most potent crotalid venom in the United States. The honor belongs to the Majove Rattlesnake, which has a potent neurotoxin, but not many people get bitten by this one. The most potent venom in the United States belongs to the Elapidae -- Coral snakes. The venom is very potent, but once again, not very many people get bitten by these and it takes time for these to inject their venom because of anatomical differences to Pit Vipers. : As to the Non-North American options: the African Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) is similar in toxicity to the North American Pit Vipers. It causes mainly local damage and blood disorders, while the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) causes intense local pain with minimal damage but has a very potent neurologically active venom. If I had a choice, I would prefer to be bitten by the African Gaboon Viper to the King Cobra. : If I remember correctly the top ten most venomous (most potent venoms) snakes are all in Australia. If I had to guess at the most toxic non-Australian snake I'd have to go with the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) or one of the Kraits (Bungarus).

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