Snake venom may seem to be a very complicated topic but in reality it is fairly straightforward. Snake venom can be deadly when taken seriously but in most cases they are not fatal. When taken in small doses, the venom acts as little more than a irritant. The effects of snake venom tend to differ greatly between snake types so it is important to know your snake before you attempt to poison it.
When you take the time to look at your snake’s foot, you should have no problem identifying p-i. P-i is a protein laced toxin which acts as a biological toxin. It is similar to hemotoxic toxins found in ticks and mosquitoes, which cause the swelling of the membrane around the effected organ and lead to localized anemia. While p-i is not toxic to humans, taking it internally can lead to serious complications. Therefore, it is wise to seek medical advice before attempting to apply any snake venoms or other insecticides.
There are three common toxins found in snake venoms and these toxins are envenom, myvenom, and sVMPS. Envenom is found in all species of snakes, but the name is generally applied to only pythons and certain genera of snakes. This is generally referred to as the most common venom type in North America. The liquid form of envenom generally remains suspended in the gastrointestinal tract until the prey bit is ingested, at which point it will break into two or three pieces and remain inside the digestive tract. The majority of the time envenom will remain active for 24 hours before sloughing off into the stool.
Myvenom is found in a variety of snakes including the common coral snake. This is the most common known toxic venom in North America and typically affects larger animals like dogs, cats, raccoons and deer. Myvenom can also affect man and even humans if the venom is in a sufficient amount. Mysan venom tends to be weaker than most other snake venoms and is not as toxic to people.
Some of the most rare venomous snakes are boa constrictors, black snakes and diamondbacks. Boa constrictors are among the largest of all snakes and can measure over fifteen feet. Black snakes are the most poisonous of all snakes with reports ranging from one to five pounds being fatal. Diamondbacks have been known to kill people through manual removal and are reported to be particularly aggressive. The majority of reported deaths from snake bites occurred in Australia where there are large populations of rattlesnakes.
Cobra venom takes on a variety of forms and can affect humans by causing irritation to the respiratory system and leading to breathing complications. Most humans who are affected by cobra venom do not survive the initial symptoms. It is only when symptoms occur later that they become potentially life threatening. The cobra venom contains mycophenolate which causes the most widespread effects and is the reason the name’Cobra poison’.
There are several medical treatments available for snake venoms. The initial treatment in an acute case will involve extensive surgical procedures and may include a combination of medications to achieve the best outcome. Other treatments include a course of antihistamines and decongestants. Some patients may respond to a local anesthetic but this is a relatively weak form of treatment and should only be used under close medical monitoring. Anti-venom products such as powder, cream, oral pills and sprays are also available.
When using snake venom arrows it is important to always aim at the heart or brain of the animal in question. If the archer does not do this, the arrow will only have limited venom effect and will not kill the animal. Most snakes will stay away from humans unless it is forced to, so it is important to shoot straight through the heart or brain of an animal. The heart or brain is generally the hardest part of the body to reach and there are many skills required to hit a specific organ with a poisonous arrow. Those who are professionally involved in hunting should take special training in this area.
