COBRAS: CHARACTERISTICS, VENOM, BITES, TREATMENTS

Differences in fang length between the various venomous snakes are likely due to the evolution of different striking strategies. These various adaptations of venom have also led to considerable debate about the definition of venom and venomous snakes. Some of the various adaptations produced by this process include venom more toxic to specific prey in several lineages, proteins that pre-digest prey, as well as a method to track down prey after a bite. Which in turn supports the idea that predation on the snakes can be the arms race that produces snake venom evolution. Several other predators of the pit viper (mongooses and hedgehogs) show the same type of relationship between snakes, which helps to support the hypothesis that venom has a very strong defensive role along with a trophic role. The study of venom evolution has been a high priority for scientists in terms of scientific research, due to the medical relevance of snake venom, in terms of making antivenom and cancer research.

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In Brazil, serum prepared with the venom of lanceheads (Bothrops spp.) is without action on rattlesnake (Crotalus spp.) venom. The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) has recently been added to the list of animals refractory to viper venom. For instance, phospholipases type A2 (PLA2s) from the Tunisian vipers Cerastes cerastes and Macrovipera lebetina have been found to have antitumor activity. The bite is immediately followed by the local pain of a burning character; the limb soon swells and becomes discolored, and within one to three hours great prostration, accompanied by vomiting, and often diarrhea, sets in. Alternatively, as in the case of a feeding response, some viperids (e.g. Lachesis) bite and hold.

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If you encounter a cobra in the wild, it is crucial to remain calm and avoid making any sudden movements. What should you do if you encounter a cobra in the wild? Viper venom, on the other hand, is often hemotoxic, affecting the blood and causing tissue damage. The initial symptoms of a Philippine Cobra bite often manifest rapidly, typically within 30 minutes.

Ecological Role of Venom Variation

Other plants used include mat root (Aristolochia rugosa), cat’s claw (Pithecellobim unguis-cati), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), snake bush (Barleria lupulina), obie seed (Cola nitida), and wild gri gri root (Acrocomia aculeata). Alternatively, a tincture is made with a piece of the vine and kept in a snake bottle. The plants used include the vine called monkey ladder (Bauhinia cumanensis or Bauhinia excisa, Fabaceae), which is pounded and put on the bite. The chicken snake (Spilotes pullatus) is the enemy of the fer-de-lance (Bothrops caribbaeus) in St. Lucia, and in their encounters, the chicken snake is invariably the victor.

The analgesic (pain-killing) activity of many snake venom proteins has been long known. Biologists had long known that some snakes had rear fangs, ‘inferior’ venom injection mechanisms that might immobilize prey; although a few fatalities were on record, until 1957, the possibility that such snakes were deadly to humans seemed at most remote. When biting, viperid snakes often strike quickly, discharging venom as the fangs penetrate the skin, and then immediately release. When the snake bites, the jaws close and the muscles surrounding the gland contract, causing venom to be ejected via the fangs.

• Individual snakes can possess venom with varying potency.
• The effectiveness of antivenom depends on the specific venom composition of the cobra involved.
• Alternative hypotheses suggest that venom evolution is due to trophic adaption, whereas these scientists believe, in this case, that selection would occur on traits that help with prey survival in terms of venom evolution instead of predation success.
• The evolution of snakes has been a debatable topic in that there are two theories pertaining to their origin.
• Neurotoxic venom harms the brain and nervous system and it can be delivered without causing a lot of pain.

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Honey badgers, known for their tenacity and thick skin, also regularly prey on cobras, including some of the most venomous species. Depending on the cobra species, the venom can quickly spread throughout the affected area, causing pain vegas casino and swelling beyond the bite site. When a cobra bites, it uses its fangs to puncture the skin and inject venom into its prey or attacker. Wildlife SOS conducts several workshops and awareness programs about snake bites to educate people on first-aid treatment, types of venomous snakes and the fact that not all snakes are venomous.

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Antivenoms are tailored according to the specific toxin profiles found in regional cobra populations for effective treatment. Some cobras produce cytotoxins that cause localized tissue damage at the bite site. Cobra venom is a sophisticated cocktail of proteins, enzymes, and peptides evolved to immobilize prey quickly and aid in digestion.

Not all but most of these species typically have short bulky bodies, triangular heads with expanded cheeks for venom glands, and keeled scales. Sea snakes have evolved to their marine environment by having skin adapted to underwater pressure and by having flat paddle shaped tails that aid in swimming. These snakes can expand their ribs and flatten their body to form a concave parachute to leap from trees and glide away to safety when threatened (Lillywhite, 2014; O’Shea, 2018). These rear-fanged snakes do not actually fly but they have adapted morphologically to glide. The astonishing Asian flying snakes are also included in this family. For North America these include garter snakes, ribbon snakes, and water snakes.

Factors Determining Venom Toxicity

Certain components of cobra venom are being investigated for their analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-cancer properties. Therefore, while a specific cobra species may be considered generally more poisonous, local populations may exhibit variations in toxicity. Individual snakes can possess venom with varying potency. The title of the world’s most poisonous cobra belongs to the Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis), boasting a neurotoxic venom that is particularly potent and rapidly acting. The only available treatment against snake bite is the usage of anti-venom. There have been innumerable instances of people dying due to snake bites globally.

Amino acid oxidase also triggers some other enzymes and is responsible for the yellow colour of the venom of some species. Inter- and intra-species variation in venom chemical composition is geographical and ontogenic. The hundreds, even thousands, of proteins found in venom include toxins, neurotoxins in particular, as well as nontoxic proteins (which also have pharmacological properties), and many enzymes, especially hydrolytic ones. These venoms have been studied and developed for use as pharmacological or diagnostic tools, and even drugs. Enzymes in venom play an important role in the digestion of prey, and various other substances are responsible for important but non-lethal biological effects. The venom is stored in large glands called alveoli before being conveyed by a duct to the base of channeled or tubular fangs through which it is ejected.

What are the immediate symptoms of a Philippine Cobra bite? Furthermore, the LD50 value only reflects the toxicity of the venom and does not account for factors such as venom yield or delivery efficiency. The lower the LD50 value, the more toxic the venom. This represents the dose of venom required to kill 50% of a test population (typically mice) under controlled laboratory conditions.

• Is there a universal antivenom for all cobra species?
• The presence of digestive enzymes in snake venom was once believed to be an adaptation to assist digestion.
• Pre-existing salivary proteins are the likely ancestors of most venom toxin genes.
• The boomslang’s venom is the most potent of all rear-fanged snakes in the world based on LD50.

COBRAS: CHARACTERISTICS, VENOM, BITES, TREATMENTS

The pain of the wound is severe and is rapidly followed by swelling and discoloration. Brief contact with the skin is not immediately dangerous, but open wounds may be vectors for envenomation. Although usually no serious symptoms result if the venom is washed away immediately with plenty of water, blindness can become permanent if left untreated.

Antivenom for Caspian cobras is not as effective for envenomation as it is for other Asian cobras within the same region, like the Indian cobra due to the dangerous toxicity of the venom. Both Capsian and Philippine cobras cause strong damage to the nervous system and the progression to life-threatening symptoms following envenomation can be very quick. For example, mortality rates among untreated cases of envenomation by the cobras as a whole group ranges from 6.5–10 percent for monocled cobras and 20–25 percent for Indian cobras to about 80 percent for Caspian cobras.

It is incredible to have such a great diversity of snakes that we share our environments with and we encourage you to learn more about the snake species that live near you. The pit viper snakes are in the subfamily Crotalinae and can be found in the Western Hemisphere and Asia. Other elapids like sea snakes are entirely marine species and generally inhabit tropical nearshore waters and have high diversity in Oceania.

The toxicity of venom is often measured using the LD50 (Lethal Dose, 50%) value. This venom primarily attacks the respiratory system, causing paralysis and ultimately leading to respiratory failure. The Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis) is generally considered the most poisonous cobra. To answer this, we need to examine the types of venom and the factors contributing to its toxicity. Venoms with anticoagulant properties also have medical applications; for instance the medicine Tirobifan was developed from a compound in the venom of the Saw-scaled Viper and recommended as an antiplatelet drug. The first anti-venom was developed by Alberte Calmette against the Indian Cobra.

In addition to treating snake bites, many toxins from the venom are used as drugs to treat conditions such as cancer, hypertension and thrombosis. Today, scientific methods of snake venom extraction have led to the availability of anti-venom for the ‘Big 4’ snake species in private and government hospitals, due to which many deaths can be prevented. For millions of years, snakes have survived and furthered their species due to venom, their natural gift. The venom protects the snakes as a defence against predator species. The might of the snake’s venom primarily intends to kill, incapacitate and paralyse taxa of prey such as birds, mammals and even other snakes. These fangs have grooves or canals that guide the venom from the oral gland to the bite wound on the prey.

Amateur researcher Tim Friede also lets venomous snakes bite him in the hopes of a vaccine against snake venom being developed, and has survived over 650 bites from different species as of May 2025. Roughly 30 percent of bites by some cobra species are dry bites (a dry bite is a bite by a venomous snake that does not inject venom). In the Americas, polyvalent antivenoms are available that are effective against the bites of most pit vipers. The deaths of two prominent herpetologists, Robert Mertens and Karl Schmidt, from African colubrid bites, changed that assessment, and recent events reveal that several other species of rear-fanged snakes have venoms that are potentially lethal to large vertebrates.