Posted by nick on December 22, 1999 at 09:36:31:
In Reply to: who cares what bit her...the fact is she's dead! n/p posted by nick on December 20, 1999 at 09:39:09:
: : : It is more likely that Ms Finch was the victim of
: : : the strike of the African Sand Viper she kept. Al-
: : : though about the size of a sidewinder, it is far
: : : more venomous and temperamental than either a Gaboon or rattler. Captive-bred Gaboons are for
: : : more tolerant of handling than sand vipers.
: : I've known some placid gabbys and some really psycho-snake gabbys, but mostly they're in between, kinda hissy and huffy. I'd as soon not lay my hands on mine as a rule. I have a lot of respect for those snakes, and they can strike with amazing speed and power and range for their pudginess.
: : I do not believe that Cerastes vipera (Sahara sand viper, aka pygmy sand viper) is capable of fatal human envenomation if this is what you are referring to as the African sand viper. They are OK on a hook, but it would be exceptionally stupid to try to tail one, as they are small and agile and can certainly bite a hand on their tail. As apparently Ms. Finch had been bitten several times before, anaphylactic shock could have been the culprit even from a C. vipera bite. Was any necrosis mentioned? The symptoms reported (swollen hand, no mention of necrosis) are consistent with C. vipera bite.
: : Regards,
: : MsTT