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

• Malabar Rock Pitviper Snake Bite
• Malabarian Pitviper Snake Bite
• Trimeresurus Malabaricus Snake Bite

What is Malabar Pitviper Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Malabar pitviper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) is a moderately venomous snake found in southwest India along the Western Ghats mountain range. 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 Malabar pitviper can grow from less than 2 feet to over 3.5 feet in length. It preys on small mammals, frogs, and lizards. It is a nocturnal reptile that inhabits the hillside forests and woodlands, between elevations of 2,000 to 7,200 feet (600 to 2,200 m). The snake is generally found on plants and trees in the endemic region
• The snake has a slender to medium-sized cylindrical body with a relatively long tail that helps it wrap around tree branches (prehensile tail). The head of the snake is large, triangular-shaped, and distinct from its neck. The body color of the Malabar pitviper is typically green, olive-yellow, or brown, with dark brown to black irregular shapes or crossbands with jagged edges on its back, and yellow spots along the sides
• Human contact with the pitviper is very uncommon. The snake has a mild disposition but is known to bite if provoked or threatened. Malabar Pitviper Snake Bites can cause envenomation (venom injection) that may rarely result in deaths without treatment. The venom is a potent mix of hemotoxins that can cause variable symptoms in the victims
• The signs and symptoms of Malabar Pitviper Snake Bite may include mild to moderate localized effects such as pain at the bite site, swelling, and blistering. Systemic symptoms may include tissue necrosis, headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, bleeding issues, and collapse
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include pain medication, intravenous fluid administration, blood transfusion, and respiratory support, as needed. The prognosis of Malabar Pitviper Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; without treatment, the condition may occasionally result in fatalities