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

• Boiga Irregularis Snake Bite
• Brown Cat Eye Snake Bite
• Eastern Brown Tree Snake Bite

What is Brown Tree Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is a slender-bodied snake that may range in size from nearly 5 feet to over 10 feet in length; the maximum length varying based on the geographical location the snake is found at. The brown tree snake is about 6 feet long in Australia but can exceed 10 feet length in Guam. The snake is also found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands
• The brown tree snake is a mildly venomous snake that belongs to the largest snake family called Colubridae. It is a terrestrial reptile that is also adept at climbing plants and trees. The snake mainly feeds on small mammals, birds (including their chicks and eggs), small lizards (and their eggs), and occasionally on other small snakes
• This snake is found in a wide range of varying habitats - from lowland woods, montane forest, sclerophyll and coastal forests, tropical rainforests, to mangrove ecosystems. It is found at elevations of up to 4,600 feet (1,400 m). The brown tree snake is also known to frequently visit agricultural farmlands and home gardens in human settlements in some geographical regions
• The slender brown tree snake has a compressed body with a very long tail. Its oval-shaped head is large and distinct from the neck, with big bulbous eyes and relatively big fangs. The body of the snake may be in shades of brown, and even yellow or pink. The snake tends to take shelter in ground cracks and crevices, beneath rocks and fallen trees, inside animal burrows, and tree hollows
• Human contact with the brown tree snake is not uncommon, and many bites have been reported. The snake can be very aggressive and strike quickly with its open mouth when provoked. It is known to twist and turn its head, neck, and a forebody into a series of loops and strike. Brown Tree Snake Bites are generally not known to be lethal, but the snake may strike several times, injecting more venom into its victims. The venom is a potent mix of neurotoxins
• The snake bite can cause moderate envenomation (venom injection through a bite) with mild-moderate local effects and non-specific systemic symptoms in some cases, especially in children. The signs and symptoms of Brown Tree Snake Bite may include pain and swelling in the affected region, tissue and muscle injury, droopy eyelids, poor coordination (ataxia), breathing difficulty, and decreased heart rate
• Currently, no suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is available for Brown Tree Snake Bites. Symptomatic treatment is mainly considered that includes wound cleaning, cardiac monitoring, and breathing support, as needed. The prognosis of the condition with prompt and effective therapy is usually excellent; lethal bites are generally not reported