One of the lectures given at the symposia was by Craig Smith, co-owner of Fitzsimons Snake Park.
He described to us three bites in three consecutive days all caused by a Naja mossambica while the victims were sleeping. The most interesting bite he discussed was a ranger who is lying at night next to the fire, heard a noise behind him in rollover to investigate at which point the snake bit him on the right hand side of his neck. To puncture wounds were visible in bleeding on his knack the snake was identified as in Mozambique, spitting cobra by the ranger. The ranger woke his fellow workers and informed them of his problem. No transportation, no communication, and no safe method of returning to base camp at night in the reserve was possible. This was due to the fact said at night, Lions, Leopards, Elephant, Rhinos, and Hippos moved about in the darkness. The decision was to roll over and go to sleep, and once the morning light comes reassess the situation. The result was a dry bite, no medical attention required with just a slight sloughing of the skin started two days after the bite. Extending for approximately 8 days.
Craig also discussed a story about an ex-employee, who had a frightening run of bad luck. He was bitten by a Puff Adder, Green Mamba, Boomslang, and Twig Snake snake, which coincidentally included all three venom groups within this base of a few years. The Puff Adder, was his first which occurred during a world record snakes sitting, In 1994. He was bitten on the thumb by a male puff adder 90 cm long as he placed a TV remote on a low table. The snakes fang penetrated through the thumb, spraying venom onto the table. The puff adder had to be physically removed from the hand and would not let go. On this occasion antivenom was not administered. However supportive and symptomatic treatment was given instead. A few months later he was again bitten on this occasion by young green mamba during the capture the snake for cage cleaning. It managed to pull free from the Tongs and in one movement inflicted four visible bites across the top of his hand. Three of them being double fang penetrations. After the animal was secured a compression bandage was placed on the arm. Approximately 2 minutes after the bite, the patient already had breathing difficulties, and was panicked about the rapid onset of symptoms. At this point, he vomited and was having problems with his balance. Seven minutes had elapsed since the bite when he arrived at the trama center and could not exit the motor vehicle on his own. At one point, while being treated, he stopped breathing and resuscitation was required. Twenty two -10 mL ampules of polyvalent antivenom were administered to the patient. The most Craig had ever heard of being administered for one bite. Within an hour's time. The patient was sitting up and wanting to go home. A truly remarkable recovery. During the next eight months the same individual was bitten by a Boomslang and a Twig snake. Fortunately both these bites were dry bites with no envenomation
Craig is a very nice fellow and was happy to answer questions about any of the South African Snakes
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"Snakes in Peru are not there for decoration, they really bite people."
Professor David Warrell, Omaha 10/21/05
