Ophidism by the green palmsnake.
The author describes his experience following 2 bites to his hand by the same green palmsnake (Philodryas viridissimus) on the same day, and reviews the literature on bites from rear-fanged species of the genus Philodryas. Though this genus has long been thought to include the most venomous colubrid snakes in the Americas, the author's bites were relatively asymptomatic. Fatalities caused by Philodryas seem to be lacking in the primary literature, but mild to moderate symptoms do result from envenomations by at least 2 species. Medical researchers are urged to obtain accurate species identifications and to carefully report symptoms and fatalities from bites of colubrid snakes.
Means
D Bruce
DB
Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy, and Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 1313 Milton Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA. means@bio.fsu.edu
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D017812:Colubridae; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000473:pathology*; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*; D013045:Species Specificity
D012910:Snake Venoms