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

• Bitis Parviocula Snake Bite
• Ethiopian Viper Snake Bite
• Small-Eyed Puff Adder Snake Bite

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

• The Ethiopian mountain adder (Bitis parviocula) is a rare and moderately venomous snake that is found in certain sporadic regions of Ethiopia. The snake belongs to the viper family or Viperidae and is found in altitudes ranging from 6,600-9,800 feet (2,000 to 3,000 m). The Ethiopian mountain adder can grow to a maximum size of about 2.5 feet, but the average adult size is about 1.5 feet
• The viper is a typically land-dwelling reptile that is almost only seen in forests and grasslands of the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia; it may be also found near coffee plantations and human settlements. The snake is nocturnal in nature. It mostly preys on small mammals including rodents
• The snake has a slightly depressed, stout body with a short tail. The head is broad, elongate, flat and triangular; the head is very distinct from its narrow neck. The snake has a pointed snout, and a white chin and throat. The nostrils of the snake are large and prominently visible
• The Ethiopian mountain adder may have a dark brown body with black geometrical shapes (hexagons or diamonds) on its back. Some specimens also show paler crossbands on their back, with black triangular blotches having white centers along the sides. The snake may present a green-grey belly that is clear or dark speckled. The snake’s head is generally brown with a dark triangle seen between its eyes
• The adder is of mild disposition but can strike quickly if it is sufficiently provoked. Human contact with the snake is not uncommon. Ethiopian Mountain Adder Snake Bites may result in systemic envenomation (venom injection) but fatalities are generally not reported. Based on related species, it is believed that the snake venom contains potent hemotoxins that may cause tissue necrosis, convulsions, and collapse
• The signs and symptoms of Ethiopian Mountain Adder Snake Bite are not well recorded, but it may include pain, bruising, and swelling at the bite site that (in rare cases) may progressively develop to include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and bleeding, necessitating immediate treatment
• There is no specific antivenom (or antivenin) for this snake bite. Symptomatic treatment is necessary and may include pain medication, wound care, and intravenous fluid administration, as needed. The prognosis of Ethiopian Mountain Adder Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good, although presently information is minimal on snake bites involving the Ethiopian mountain adder