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

• African Desert Horned Viper Snake Bite
• Cerastes Cerastes Snake Bite
• Egyptian Sand Viper Snake Bite

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

• The horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) is a moderately venomous snake found in many parts of North Africa and Middle East, including in the countries of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, and Yemen. The horned viper belongs to the viper family or Viperidae
• The snake grows in size from a foot to nearly 3 feet long. The characteristic identifying feature of many of these snakes is the spine-like horn projection above each eye, and hence the name “horned viper”. In snakes without the long horn, a prominent brow ridge may be present. The snake’s body is generally yellow to yellow-brown, pale gray, pale brown, or even pinkish with rows of dark spots along its back; the belly is usually in white/light shades
• The snake is relatively stout-bodied but appears flattened as it lies on the sandy terrain. It has a tapering short tail. The snake’s head is flat, broad, and triangular-shaped, covered in small scales, and it has a narrow neck. The snake has a short and broad snout. The viper often lies buried in the sand with only its eyes and nostrils exposed above the surface; the snake usually hides in rodent holes and behind rock outcroppings
• The horned viper is found at elevations of up to 5,000 feet (nearly 1,500 m) in hot sandy and rocky hill deserts in the endemic regions. The snake is generally slow-moving and uses sidewinding for movement, which may be described as “sideways slithering” action. This terrestrial reptile preys on small rodents, small birds, lizards, and occasionally other small snakes, typically during the night
• The horned viper has an aggressive disposition and is easily irritated at the slightest threat. The snake can hold its ground and assume a coiled position with a ready striking intent; the snake can also strike quickly if disturbed. It can hiss loudly and make rasping sounds by rubbing inflated sides of its body together to warn intruders
• Due to its wide distribution, human interactions are not infrequent. The Horned Viper Snake Bite can rarely result in fatalities due to systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite) in the absence of treatment. The venom is a mix of potent hemotoxins, and the rate of envenoming is reportedly high
• The signs and symptoms of Horned Viper Snake Bite may include (at the bite site) pain, swelling, skin discoloration, tissue destruction (rarely), and gangrene formation. As various body systems gets rapidly affected by the venom, it can result in widespread symptoms including headache, abdominal pain, clotting defects, dizziness, seizures, and shock
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include pain medication, wound cleaning, respiratory support, and blood transfusion. The prognosis of Horned Viper Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; the fatality rate for untreated cases is under 1%