Amazing, unpredictable and very dangerous representatives of the family of hairpin snakes (Atractaspis), so unlike their fellow reptiles. Small compared to many common species, hairpin snakes, rigid as a wire, are still considered mysterious, mysterious and poorly studied representatives of the fauna.
The distribution area, lifestyle, structural features of these species and the consequences of their bites for humans and animals are the subject of this article.
View description
Burrowing, or earthen snakes, inhabiting almost the entire territory of the African continent, are quite miniature: their average length does not exceed half a meter. A rare exception is individual individuals growing up to 70 cm in length. The body is glossy and smooth, the tail is short. Coloring is dark, almost black or black-violet, slightly lighter towards the abdomen. A small flattened head, covered with large plates-shields, with tiny eyes ends in a blunt muzzle.
Structural Features of Fangs
A hairpin snake differs from other species in absolutely atypical behavior: a meeting with it does not bode well, it will not work out “agree” - the probability of getting a bite is almost always one hundred percent. The absence of an arch of the neck behind the head makes it impossible to hold it in your hands as possible with any other snake, and the unique structure and location of the fangs makes this animal very dangerous.
Snakes have the longest venomous teeth in relation to the size of the head. It is because of these long and thin fangs that protrude from the mouth and represent a real danger, they were called stud. They bite with rapid lateral movement, stopping the slightest attempt to hold her behind the head.
Differences from other species
The hairpin snake is equipped with only large hollow fangs. She has no other teeth. The structure of these fangs is unique - they can be folded and, if necessary, be straightened, and some types of these snakes have the ability to straighten them without even opening their mouths completely. This gives hairpin snakes the ability to deliver rapid side impacts without even opening their mouths, and they use it extensively. Armed with poisonous fangs, a hairpin snake, the photo of which makes it possible to see them, has long developed a technique for side attack on a potential victim. Such a feature is decisive, since hunting in cramped conditions underground does not require special maneuvers, and the side impact that has developed over the centuries with long and thin fangs will always reach the target.
Apparently, the similar structure of the teeth of earth snakes is the result of adaptation to the lifestyle of burrowing animals, and this feature is distinguished by such a species as a hairpin snake. Where he lives, he adapts to those conditions. All other snakes are equipped with fixed front teeth and do not have in their arsenal the skills of a quick side attack.
Lifestyle
Another surprisingly accurate name for this snake - the southern stiletto - speaks about the extreme danger of this animal, which leads mainly a nocturnal lifestyle. This is a predator, always orientated by smell. The snake does not see well. The magnificent sense of smell compensates for the lack of vision due to the lifestyle of the underground inhabitant. For most of the day, the hairpin snake hides underground, in loose sandy soil or fallen leaves, hunting rodents and other animals that live in the upper soil layers. This snake has long and firmly won the glory of a nest destroyer. She unmistakably finds a mink of rodents underground, crawls into it and kills all who are in it - young and adult individuals. Then, in turn, swallows them. It appears on the surface rarely and at night, continuing the hunt for lizards, amphisbene, small birds or snakes. In the family of hairpin snakes there are also stenophages - varieties that eat only one particular type of prey. But for the most part, these reptiles prey on all kinds of small animals, kill them and swallow them.
The hairpin snake: where he lives
We have already mentioned that the African continent is the birthplace of this snake. Let us consider in more detail the places where the hairpin snake is found.
The habitat of the southern stylet is Africa, or rather, a wide range, including the northwestern parts of the provinces of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, the small kingdom of Swaziland, the southern and central territories of Mozambique, as well as the African states of Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The habitat of snakes is very extensive, and if various climatic zones are taken into account, it can be argued that the adaptive ability of hairpin snakes is quite high, because they can also be found in flat forests and mountainous areas covered with shrubbery.
Breeding
With other species of snakes, this family is similar in the traditional breeding method: the hairpin snake belongs to oviparous animals. Attracting the male with a peculiar smell, the female mates, and soon in a secluded place lays from 3 to 7 eggs. This happens in the summer. We will not delve into the issues of reproducing the population of these animals, since this side of their life is poorly studied. Let's talk about the danger of a hairpin snake bite to humans. Consider what consequences it can cause and how it affects health.
Hairpin Snake: Venom
It should be noted that the poison of representatives of the family of hairpin snakes is not considered fatal, but no one doubts its highest toxicity for a long time.
In history, there are cases when bites of some species of these reptiles were fatal. As a rule, the victims in these cases were children, adolescents or weakened people. But for an adult, a meeting with a hairpin snake ends in tears: severe pain in the affected area and the whole body, prolonged treatment, possible loss of a limb or part thereof, subsequent disability and the periodic return of the disease state. Since the distribution area of these reptiles is very large, for many agricultural regions of Africa, the close proximity to these animals is a lot of serious trouble. Scientists explain the powerful toxicity of the poison developed over the centuries for two reasons: the facilitation of the hunter's skills, which makes it possible to kill prey more efficiently, and an excellent protective mechanism against other, more dangerous animals.
The composition of the poison
The venom of these snakes is a complex mixture of active substances with a high content of toxins. A huge number of components of this liquid have not yet been studied or studied very superficially, but it is known that the poison is a rather viscous milky liquid.
Studying the composition of the venom of hairpin snakes is currently closely involved in American scientists and herpentologists.
Is there an antidote
Encountering an animal such as a hairpin snake, whose antidote to the bite does not yet exist, is dangerous. Today, work is underway on the invention of an anti-snake vaccine, but so far there are no effective drugs. In world practice, special serums are used to save victims of a snakebite, based on snake venom. Unfortunately, an antidote has not yet been invented from a bite of a hairpin snake. The absence of substances capable of neutralizing the destructive effect of the poison is a big problem for the large population of African territories. Today, like centuries ago, the risk of attack of this small but very dangerous snake is great. We will discuss the consequences of the bite in more detail below.
Snake bite and its consequences
The poison of this snake is dangerous for humans, as for all mammals. We have already noted that the snake acts with amazing speed. This is confirmed by the testimonies of eyewitnesses and victims: the snake bite is so lightning fast that a person does not immediately understand what happened. Many bitten, confused at this moment, risk getting a few more bites. And only after a moment does a person understand what really happened.
Thin, like needles, fangs enter the tissue deep enough, and it is most likely impossible to suck out the poison, as is possible with the bites of many other snakes. Only a small number of bites of these snakes are recorded in the world, which is explained by the rare appeal of African peasants for medical help. Therefore, the process of the effect of poison on the human body is not well understood.
The bite of a hairpin snake is accompanied by the injection of poison, which, falling into the subcutaneous tissue, quickly disperses along the bloodstream and lymphatic ducts. The poison spreads throughout the body, and tissues under its influence begin to swell almost instantly. It causes unbearable pain.
The effects of poison on the human body
The venom of a hairpin snake contains several unique toxins that are absent in the venom of other snakes. One of them is endothelial toxin, which increases the number of contractions of the heart muscle and raises blood pressure. Needless to say, this is extremely dangerous for humans. The pulse of a bitten person increases to two hundred beats per minute. Due to increased pressure, the pain syndrome intensifies.
The combination of toxins present in the poison has a devastating effect on the entire human body: they affect the nervous system, as evidenced by severe pain, and can cause swelling of the blood vessels, causing a heart attack.
How to react to tissue poison
The venom of a hairpin snake is insidious and effective. It resembles the poison of a rattlesnake, since it also causes the decomposition process and leads to local death of the tissue.
First, a tumor forms at the site of the bite, which quickly grows and turns red. Then redness in a few hours turns into blood blisters, subsequently merging into one large hematoma. Herpentologists claim that the poison causes irreversible decomposition of tissues. The main medical help at this moment is high-quality pain relief, as well as taking cardiac and antihistamines that reduce tissue swelling. When huge hematomas occur, they are opened in a sterile environment to reduce pressure. If a person does not resort to medical care, the hematoma opens itself, becoming from a stretched-smooth slightly oily. Blood begins to ooze out of it. The tissues inside the hematoma are hopelessly damaged, the smell of rotting appears. All this time, the bitten is tormented by excruciating pains, accompanied by fever, increased blood pressure, palpitations and profuse sweating.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent tissue destruction at the site of the bite, and only supportive therapy is used to alleviate the painful condition. I must say that necrosis (death) of tissues depends on the individual characteristics of a person: in some it is stronger, while in others it is more sparing. In any case, the result of the bite is partial amputation or the dead tissue is subsequently scarred, exposing the bone. Finger bites usually lead to their loss, since not only soft tissues, but also bone are often destroyed.
