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

• Bitis Atropos Snake Bite
• Highveld Berg Adder Snake Bite
• Mountain Adder Snake Bite

What is Cape Mountain Adder Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Cape Mountain adder (Bitis atropos) is a venomous snake that is primarily found in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the countries of Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. The snake belongs to the viper family or Viperidae and is found in altitudes up to 9,800 feet (3,000 m), generally in places with cooler climates and heavy rainfall. The snake is even recorded above snowlines at some locations
• The adder is a land-dwelling reptile that is seen in montane grasslands, rocky slopes, valleys, and among coastal fynbos (wide-ranging vegetation type of Southern African regions). The Cape Mountain adder can grow to a maximum size of about 2 feet or so, but the average adult size is a little over a foot. It has a slightly flattened but fairly stout body with a short tail. The head is elongated, broad, with a short snout, and distinct from its narrow neck
• Cape Mountain adder may be gray, olive, to dark-brown, with a series of black triangular patterns on the back and square patterns on the sides, along its entire length. The head may present dark arrow-shaped marks with pale side streaks. The belly is usually off-white to even gray/black, but the underside of the throat is yellow to pink. The snake is diurnal in nature, often hiding below grass tussocks and in rocky crevices. It mostly preys on small mammals, including rodents, other snakes, lizards, birds, and frogs
• The adder is irritable and if disturbed, it lets out a loud hissing warning before striking repeatedly. Cape Mountain Adder Snake Bites can result in moderate systemic envenomation (venom injection) but fatalities are very uncommon; the lethality rate is at less than 1%. The venom contains potent neurotoxins and myotoxins that can cause vision abnormalities, convulsions, and collapse
• The signs and symptoms of Cape Mountain Adder Snake Bite may include pain, bruising, and swelling at the bite site, which may be progressively followed by moderate to severe tissue necrosis, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and flaccid paralysis, necessitating immediate treatment
• A suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is presently not available for this snake species. Symptomatic treatment is crucial and may include pain medication, intravenous fluid administration, and respiratory support, as needed. The prognosis of Cape Mountain Adder Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good