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

• American Lancehead Pitviper Snake Bite
• Bothrops Taeniatus Snake Bite
• Castelnaud's Forest Pitviper Snake Bite

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

• The speckled forest pitviper snake (Bothrops taeniatus) is a moderately venomous snake that ranges in size from a little less than 3 feet to nearly 6 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
• This reptile is found in the forests of South America that includes the moist tropical, temperate lowland, and foothill rainforests, in the nations of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is a nocturnal snake that hunts at night, feeding mainly on small mammals (rodents), lizards, frogs and small birds
• This pit viper has a moderately slender body with a short prehensile tail (used to grasp); the snake is also found on trees (arboreal). The speckled forest pitviper is usually encountered along forest edges, among vines and areas with low vegetation. The head of the snake is shaped like a lance (spear) and distinct from its neck. Its eyes are relatively large in size with vertically elliptical pupils
• The snake comes in a variety of colors, from lavender-grey to yellow-green. It usually presents a very diverse range of pattern, although nearly all specimens have a row of bold white scaly spots along the sides (where the snake’s back meets its underbelly). The snake is generally difficult to spot because of its cryptic coloration
• Speckled Forest Pitviper Snake Bites involving humans are not very common. These snakes are not aggressive but are known to strike quickly if disturbed. 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 myotoxins and neurotoxins and can cause hypovolemic shock and tissue necrosis
• In general, the signs and symptoms of Speckled Forest Pitviper Snake Bite may include pain at the bite site and local swelling with bruising and blistering. 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 Speckled Forest Pitviper Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; fatalities are infrequent, but may take place