- Snake bite statistics indicate that very few people are ever bitten by snakes, and of those bitten, a very small percentage actually die.
- There is a definite difference between a bite from a poisonous snake and snakebite poisoning.
- The former refers to a bite inflicted by a poisonous snake, whether or not venom is injected. Most poisonous snakes have full control of the muscles surrounding the venom glands and can, therefore, inject venom if and when they wish to do so. All snakebites are thus not necessarily dangerous, and a bite might even be from a harmless snake species.
- Snakebite poisoning, on the other hand, refers to envenomation, which is poisoning by biting.
- The vast majority of bites are inflicted on the lower leg, hands or arms.
- The actual bite may comprise two distinct fang punctures, several punctures, or just a minute scratch. As it is seldom possible to identify the snake responsible and judge the severity of the bite simply by looking at the wound, all bites should be considered dangerous.
- Juvenile snakes are also capable of injecting lethal quantities of venom. It is not possible to give hard and fast rules on how to identify the type of snake responsible for a bite, if the snake was not actually seen.
Some Cobra bites produce symptoms similar to those of the Adder envenomation, and vice versa. However, since many people will fear the worst unless reassured, bite victims should be given some idea of what symptoms to expect. The following descriptions are provided as a rough guide to the effects of serious bites:
- Immediate burning pain followed by swelling (most Adders or one of the Spitting Cobra’s).
- Dizziness, difficulty with swallowing and breathing (most Elapios). These symptoms do not occur immediately after the bite, but may appear soon after in serious cases (Mamba bites).
- Severe headache, usually several hours after the bite, followed by bleeding from small cuts, the mucous membranes and, eventually, severe internal bleeding (Boomslang or Twig Snake).
In certain circumstances, you may not be sure if, in fact, you have been bitten by a snake.
Immediate symptoms of shock such as excessive sweating, thumping heart, and difficulty with breathing, should not be confused with symptoms that would follow envenomation.