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

• Golden Lancehead Pitviper Snake Bite
• Island's Jararaca Snake Bite
• Queimada Grande Pitviper Snake Bite

What is Golden Lancehead Viper Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The golden lancehead viper snake (Bothrops insularis) is a moderately venomous snake that ranges in size from 2-4 feet in length. The snake belongs to the subspecies of pit vipers, family Viperidae. Pit vipers are termed so, due to the presence of certain heat-sensing organs located in a recess/notch between their eyes and nostrils
• The golden lancehead viper is endemic to the island of Ilha da Queimada Grande, or the Snake Island, in the state of Sao Paulo, located off the southeast coast of Brazil. It is found in dry, rocky, open scrubby forests, at elevations from mean sea level to about 650 feet (200 m). The snake is diurnal and feeds almost only on small birds that visit the island
• The golden lancehead viper snake has a slender to medium-sized body. The head of the snake is broad, flat, and shaped like a lance (spear) and distinct from its neck. Its body color is usually pale yellow-brown, sometimes with dark irregular bands or large blotches. The head is pale yellow to brown, and its belly light yellow-brown, sometimes scattered with small darker spots
• Golden Lancehead Viper Snake Bites involving humans are very uncommon; the island is off-limits to both public and tourists. Even though infrequent, a bite from a fully-grown snake has the potential to result in severe envenomation (venom injection) with significant symptoms, in the absence of adequate treatment. The snake venom is a potent mix of hemotoxins and myotoxins and can cause hypovolemic shock and kidney damage
• In general, the signs and symptoms of Golden Lancehead Viper Snake Bite may include moderate to severe pain at the bite site and local swelling with bruising, blistering, and tissue necrosis. In case of development of systemic symptoms, the bite can result in headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, and collapse
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include the use of pain medication, blood transfusion, and breathing support, if needed. The prognosis of Golden Lancehead Viper Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; fatalities are known to take place very infrequently