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Without permission I'm not going to give a name but last night a good friend of mine was bitten by a lg. Small-Eyed Viper [Bitis parviocula]. He had definite envenomation and is hospitalized. Does anyone have any info on envenomations by these snakes? If so please p.m. me a.s.a.p....Thanks
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Hi Tom:

I know who you mean, I hope he pulls through. Venom is not unlike that of the other, well known large Bitis species in general, however is really un-classified for the most part. My exporter was bitten last fall and survived a moderate envenomation with just supportive care. He did come very close to dying though.

France Favirept for North African snakes & SAMIR combo is the best combination to use. One or the other alone may not neutralize enough of the the lethal fractions to do the trick. That's the major problem having a species with no specific A/V for the bite. If they are using A/V they should use some of both IMO, although the few reports of bites in Europe they used SAMIR only.

For those of you who don't know what they look like see the picture below. The behave "somewhat" but not exactly like a large green Puff Adder.

Good luck,

Al

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Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.
Abraham Lincoln.

Beautiful snake! Is this a newly described Bitis, as I thought I had memorized all the large members of the Genus.

Matthew

Good lord, he couldn't pick a better known hot to get bitten by? Wonder if its similar to a Berg adder???

Matthew

B. parviocula was first described in the mid-1970's and is considerably larger than B. atropos. It is arguably the most beautiful of all Bitis.

Kelly

I won't argue that it is the most beautiful in a Genus full of spectacular snakes. This is just the first I've heard of it. No lit in the 80's or 90's mentions the species at all.
But then look at the all the asian ratsnakes & you realize we don't know 'em all yet.

Matthew

Thanks everyone, but he's getting out of ICU today. Thanks goodness he survived, one LUCKY man I believe...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

does there appear to be any permanent damage? I feel lucky that my pit viper bite many years ago did not result in any long term issues. As you are aware, almost no information exists on parviocula envenomation. Thanks again,

Kelly

I'm not sure yet if there's any permanent damage....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

n/t
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Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!

sorry to hear about your friend tom, im glad hes doing well now. i wonder if dr. fry has any experience with these bitis maybe ill make a post about this on venomdoc.