Snakes

POISONOUS
VS
NON POISONOUS
SNAKES
-Dr. DISHA S N
. Dr. DIYA LALJY
IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE TOPIC
Understanding the difference between poisonous and non-
poisonous snakes is crucial for safety. It helps people identify
potential threats in their environment, avoid unnecessary fear or
harm, and respond appropriately in case of encounters, thereby
reducing the risk of snakebite incidents and promoting coexistence
with these animals.
VENOM
Venom is a toxic substance that certain animals, such as snakes, spiders, and some insects,
produce and inject into their prey or attackers through a bite or sting. It typically serves to
immobilize or kill prey. Venom in snakes is produced and stored in specialized glands
located near the snake’s head. These glands produce various toxins that are injected into
prey through fangs when the snake strikes. The composition of snake venom varies
depending on the species and can contain a mixture of proteins, enzymes, and other
bioactive molecules.
When a snake bites its prey, the venom is injected into the victim’s tissues, where it can
cause various effects, including paralysis, tissue damage, and ultimately, death. Snakes
primarily use venom to immobilize and digest their prey, making it easier to consume.
Additionally, some snakes use venom defensively to deter predators or threats.
POISONOUS SNAKES VS NON POISONOUS SNAKES
Poisonous Snakes: Poisonous snakes possess toxins that can harm or kill when ingested,
touched, or injected into a victim’s bloodstream.
Non-poisonous Snakes: Non-poisonous snakes lack venomous glands and do not
produce toxins that pose a direct threat to humans or other animals.
POISONOUS SNAKES NON POISONOUS SNAKES
• Small Head scales • Large Head scales

• Large Belly scales and cover entire breadth • Small Belly Scales like those on the back or
• Fangs: Hollow like hypodermic needles moderately large, but do not cover the entire
• Teeth: Two long fangs breadth
• Compressed tail • Fangs: Short and solid
• Usually Noctural • Teeth: Several small teeth
• Tail: Not much compressed
EXAMPLES OF POISONOUS SNAKES
1. VIPERIDAE: Russell’s Viper ;

CORTALIDAE: Rattle Snakes, Pit viper
2. ELAPIDAE: COBRA, KRAIT, MAMBA
3. HYDROPHIAE: SEA SNAKE
4. COLUBRIDAE: Boom Slang, Bird snake of Africa
5. ATRACTASPIDIAE: Mole vipers (AKA Stiletto snakes)

Viperidae - Vasculotoxic
Elapidae – Neurotoxic
Hydrophiae – Myotoxic
EXAMPLES OF NON POISONOUS SNAKES
• PYTHON
• RAT SNAKE
• SAND BOA (EARTH SNAKE)
• BLIND SNAKE
• GARTER SNAKE
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
• Some of the major snake families found in India include elapids (cobras, kraits, and coral snakes),
vipers (pit vipers and true vipers), and colubrids (rat snakes, kukris, and vine snakes)
• Karnataka, located in the southwestern part of India, boasts a diverse range of habitats, including dense
forests, grasslands, mountains, and coastal regions, which support a rich variety of snake species.
1. Western Ghats- districts of Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu -–King Cobra,
Malabar Pit Viper, Common Krait, and Bamboo Pit Viper are found here.
2. Eastern Plains- districts like Bengaluru Urban, Kolar, and Tumakuru – Indian Rock Python, Russell’s
Viper, and Common Sand Boa.
3. Coastal Regions- districts like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada –Spectacled Cobra,
Indian Python, and Saw-scaled Viper
4. Central Plateau- districts like Davanagere, Haveri, and Chitradurga – Indian Rat Snake, Russell’s
Viper, and Common Krait
5. Western Plains- districts like Belagavi, Dharwad, and Vijayapura – Indian Rock Python, Russell’s
Viper, and Indian Cobra
MANAGEMENT
• FIRST AID – “ Do It RIGHT”
R =Reassure the patient. Seventy percent of all snakebites are from nonvenomous species.
Only 50% of bites by venomous species actually envenomate the patient
I =Immobilize in the same way as a fractured limb. Use of bandage or cloth is to hold the
splints and should to block the blood supply or apply pressure. Do not compress by tight
ligatures, because the can be dangerous! (Loose ligatures to block lymphatic flow can be
used)
GH = Get to Hospital immediately. Traditional remedies have NO PROVEN benefit in
treating snakebite
T = Tell the physician about any systemic symptoms that develop on the way to hospital (e.g.,
ptosis)
• SPECIFIC TREATMENT : ANTI SNAKE VENOM
Indications: Neurotoxicity, Bleeding, Coagulopathy, Cardiac toxicity, Acute renal failure etc.
Dosage of ASV: Ideally administer within 4 hours but effective if given within 24 hour. In mild
cases, 5 vials; for moderate cases, 5-10 vials and in SEVERE cases, 10-20 vials.
Additional infusion of 5-10 vials are infused until progression of swelling ceased and systemic
symptoms disappeared.
Mode of administration: AS is given slowly as I V injection or infusion at the rate of 2 mL/minute.
ASV dilute 5-10 mL/kg body weight with normal saline or 5% dextrose and infused over hour.
ASV should never be given locally at site of snakebite.
Repeat dose of ASV: In vasculotoxic or hemotoxic envenomation: Administer ASV every 6 hours
until coagulation (WBCT) is restored.
In neuroparalytic or neurotoxic envenomation: Initial dose of ASV 10 vials stat as infusion to be
followed by 2nd dose of 10 vials given if no improvement seen withim one hour.
THANK YOU

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POISONOUS

POISONOUS SNAKES NON POISONOUS SNAKES

• Small Head scales • Large Head scales

1. VIPERIDAE: Russell’s Viper ;

2. ELAPIDAE: COBRA, KRAIT, MAMBA

3. HYDROPHIAE: SEA SNAKE

4. COLUBRIDAE: Boom Slang, Bird snake of Africa

5. ATRACTASPIDIAE: Mole vipers (AKA Stiletto snakes)

• SAND BOA (EARTH SNAKE)

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