What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Atractaspis Bibronii Snake Bite
• Mole Viper Snake Bite
• Southern Stiletto Snake Bite

What is Bibron's Burrowing Asp Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Bibron's burrowing asp (Atractaspis bibronii) is a venomous snake found distributed in many regions to the south of the African continent, including the countries of Namibia, DR Congo, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and south Somalia. The snake is also known as the mole viper, even though strictly it is not a viper. Bibron's burrowing asp belongs to the Elapidae family, which generally includes slender and swift moving snakes
• The small and cylindrical burrowing snake usually grow to between 1.5 and 2.5 feet in size. It has a slender body with a short, pointed tail. Its head is small and conical and indistinct from the neck, with a broad and flattened snout. The snake has fairly large fangs that protrude from the corners of its mouth which appears partially-closed
• The body of the Bibron's burrowing asp is shiny smooth and may be brown, purple-brown, grey or blackish. The scales are usually noted in glossy purple. Its belly may appear white, brownish, or pale with dark blotches. The snake is often found beneath stones and in termite mounds. The snake takes shelter in tiny tunnels and rodent burrows underground. It is a slow-moving snake seen in a wide variety of habitats such as grasslands (low and high veld savannahs), coastal dry bush areas, and semi-deserts
• The reptile is nocturnal and typically hunts during the night; it is difficult to spot the burrowing asp during the day unless it rains heavily. It feeds mainly on other reptiles (small snakes and lizards) but will also prey on small rodents (mice) and frogs. Since the fangs protrude out of its mouth, the Bibron's burrowing asp can strike without really opening their mouths (using one side fang too)
• The reptile is a shy creature that mostly prefers to escape and does not attempt to bite if threatened mildly. If cornered, the snake arches its neck with its head being pointed towards the ground in an inverted "U" shape. If provoked further, it may coil up tightly and thrash its head about violently. The snake is almost impossible to hold safely by hands
• Contact with humans is uncommon even though the snake is extensively distributed in the endemic areas. Bibron's Burrowing Asp Snake Bite can occasionally result in fatalities due to systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite), if the condition is left untreated, from the presence of highly potent cardiotoxins and other compounds in the venom. Generally, the snake only injects a small quantity of its venom into its victims
• The signs and symptoms of Bibron's Burrowing Asp Snake Bite may be non-specific and include severe pain at the bite site, headache, diarrhea, weakness, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and dizziness. Severe complications may involve the cardiovascular system resulting in ischemia or infarction; tissue necrosis may also be noted
• Currently, no suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is available for Bibron's Burrowing Asp Snake Bites. Symptomatic treatment is mainly considered that includes wound care and cleaning, cardiac monitoring, and breathing support, as needed. The prognosis of the condition with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; individuals succumbing to Bibron's Burrowing Asp Bites are highly uncommon