Saw-Scale Viper Snakebite in Shaba: A Happy Ending
Anthony Childs sent in some photos - many thanks to him! - and among them was this wonderful shot of a Saw-Scale Viper, the same kind of snake who bit the worker in Shaba National Reserve last week. This snake, alive and well, is coiled into its typical defensive pre-strike position. By rubbing its coils against themselves, the snake produces the characteristic scraping sound that earned it the English common name it bears.
Saw-Scaled Viper (photo by Anthony Childs)
The good news is that the snakebite victim is now out of hospital, although he was to have returned for a final check yesterday. It’s a good thing that his co-workers and employers acted quickly and well to identify the snake and transport the patient to hospital. And it is very lucky that we were able to supply much-needed monovalent Echis antivenom to reduce his suffering.
The James Ashe Antivenom Trust needs your help to keep this valuable service available to victims of snakebite like the young fellow from Shaba. Please send your donation, cheque or money order, to us at Bio-Ken Snake Farm, P.O. Box 3, Watamu, Kenya. Your generosity may save a limb or a life!